Looking for OBGYN or Midwife Associated with SNHMC or Lowell General

Like REbecca, I loved having a midwife. Of course I have nothing to compare it to since I only have one child. But I can tell you a little bit about it. Many people are concerned about the safety factor; some midwives do have the ability to start an IV, give IV fluids, give pitocin AFTER you've had the baby (in a case where you might be bleeding excessively), neonatal cpr, administer oxygen, etc. They can numb and stitch up a tear, if you have one. In some cases they would have to transfer you to a hospital. Luckily most births are normal births and require none of the above. My experience took place at a birth center so I can't really tell you what it's like to have a midwifery experience at a hospital, but I'll offer some advice. Look for a hospital with a birth center with birth stools, large balls for sitting, perhaps a whirpool/tub, these are signs that you will get a more satisfying experience as you will have several options for getting comfortable during your labor. If you go with an OB ask if he/she delivers only with women lying down or if he/she is willing to accomodate the laboring woman who wants to sit/stand/squat/etc. This, in my opinion, is another good sign that you will have a more comfortable experience. Midwives allow you to eat and drink during labor rather than giving IV fluids. They also use "spot checks" for checking baby's heart rate so you don't have to use a continuous monitor. Sorry I can't recommend a specific OB for you. I used Tracey Bowman (mentioned in previous post) and she was great. Good luck to you!

Hi K.,

I also gave birth at the Birth Cottage in Milford and LOVED it. It was an amazing experience and I can't imagine it any other way. Tracey and her student midwife were the only ones there other than my husband for the birth of our son. I used a water tub which was FANTASTIC, and I was able move about and eat and do pretty much whatever I wanted and felt I needed to do to be as comfortable as possible. I can not imagine being forced to lay on my back in a bed the whole time after being allowed to move into whatever position felt right at that moment. It was safe, peaceful, and amazing. I highly recommend The Birth Cottage with either Tracey or Adrian who are both wonderful and talented midwifes. Good luck to you!

L.

I had our son, now 20 months, with midwives in a birthing center, not in the hospital, and could not be any happier for our experience. The midwife is a support person who is more inclined to natural birth and cannot administer pain killers, so the big thing is the mindset of the mom in this type of situation. I knew going in it would be hard but that I was going to do it as millions of women had for thousands of years and I wasn't afraid. I was hard but sooooooo worth it and I have attended births at hospitals and am saddened for those moms by the difference in our experiences. I'm sorry, but SNHMC is a learning hospital and the birth I attended there was anything but private because of all the students that came in and out while the mom was laboring and the number of times and people who had her fingers in her (sorry if crude but true). At the birth center in Milford, it was me my husband, the head midwife and her midwife student assistant. That was it, the entire time...... well until my son joined the group. To answer your other question, one of the midwives at The Birth Cottage in Milford is a nurse midwife and has privileges at SNHMC and works with Sylvia Horsley there. Her name is Tracy Bowman and can be reached at The Birth Cottage at ###-###-####. Best of luck with your decision making and your baby making!

The midwives at Dartmouth Hitchcock are wonderful. I delivered 3 babies with them. They are very supportive and knowledgable. I found out I was pregnant with my 3rd baby and was in complete shock, the midwives were very supportive and understanding with my emotional state of shock/denial about being pregnant again. I delivered at SNHMC.

Sam
Mother of Three
Devin 7, Donovan 6, and Myalyn 4

ditto about Dr. Maynard.

Also, the Dartmouth group has an outpatient clinic at 21 E. Hollis street, Nashua. They are great and have ultrasound right there for screening, fetal survey, etc.

St. joes's has a new female ob on staff that has been there over a year (previously she practiced in NY). Her name is Joanna Paolili and she too is fantastic.

Hope this helps. Let us know who you pick.

Dr. Karen Maynard is the best. The practice is very comforting there are 3 main dr's who you meet all three and are very personable and make you feel at ease. Dr. Maynard has also deals with troubled pregnancy's too. in a class i too they were having issues and switched to her because she is a prenatal specialist. I dont remember the practice name but you cna look up her name plus the pediatric dr is associated with the obgyn practice and is the visiting dr at southern nh maternity ward. they are there weekends and nights too. I have been to 4 specialists that are all intertwined with this practice so its nice your medical records are there no matter who you see.