I think that it's a wonderful thing that you are going to school to be a Midwife! I had the best doula with my second child. We have lots of midwives in our area but not nearly enough doulas. I would love to become a doula after my babies get a little older :)

My injuries at the time of the car accident were: hairline fractures in the neck, broken ribs on each side, both lungs collasped, right and left arms broken (humerus), radial nerve severed in right arm, right hip shattered, torn ligaments in both legs, right foot and ankle broken.  Half of my right hip was removed because of all the shattered pieces. I have plates and screws in my neck, both arms and my right foot.  These plates and screws will never be removed.  I will also need a hip replacement soon.  I have horrible arthritis from head to toe from these injuries.  I also suffer from depression and post traumatic stress disorder.  My body is a complete mess.

I did deliver all my children vaginally but with an epidural of course because the pain of my arthritis and contractions is more than I can bear. In my first pregnancy I did have pre-eclampsia so i had to be induced at 38 weeks.  My 2nd and third pregnancy I had no complication other than the arthritis and low iron.  With this pregnancy i'm having low blood pressure and low iron.  I've also been having fainting spells with this pregnancy too. 

Do you still recommend looking into a midwife even with all these issues?

The laws in Canada are different than the US in regards to homebirth (I believe).  I have never met or even come into any contact with any mother who has had a homebirth here.  The only homebirths I know of are those that were emergency because the baby couldn't wait till mom got to the hospital. I don't have a problem with women choosing homebirth especially if their pregnancies are not high risk.  However, all my medical issues from my car accident injuries make my pregnancy a bit of a high risk therefore I'd be more comfortable knowing that medical intervention is at my immediate disposal.

I do know that midwives deliver half of the children born in hospitals here.  More and more women are choosing midwives in Canada over OB/GYNs. If I didn't have so many medical issues then I'd probably go with a midwife and possibly even give birth at home (if it was an option here in Canada).

Hi Texasmom --

Thanks for your comment on my post about the homebirth show, and I would love to send my letter to the producers of The Doctors, Dr. Phil and anyone else who will read it.  However, I can't seem to find a way to contact any of these people.  Do you have any tips?  The Doctors website is not very helpful.

Thanks,

WendyCPM

just wanted to say HI! Always nice to talk to the NICU nurses! I know the ones at the hosptal my girls were born at were great!