Crohn's and using a midwife

Can someone with Crohn's Disease use a certified nurse midwife for their pregnancy and delivery? (Assuming of course that the Crohns is in "remission" i.e. not flaring)?  I'm also referring to a hospital delivery by a midwife.  Will a midwife aacept a client with IBD?  Does anyone have experience with this?  I really want a natural labor and delivery, I'm not fond of the medicalized form of birth.  Please let me know if you have used a midwife.

I used a midwife at the hospital for my delivery. I just made her very aware of my condition when we had our initial appointment with the pregnancy. I was so scared, because I assumed I would be considered "high risk" and my midwife doesn't accept those patients. She made it seem like it was no big deal. I did have a flare-up during the pregnancy where she had to consult with my GI doctor, but other than that it was a textbook pregnancy and delivery.

By the way, don't be so rigid in your birth plan. I wrote up a two page birth plan for how I wanted to have my son - no epidural, no pitocin, room-in only, etc. Just about everything that I didn't want to happen (aside from a c-section) happened. When you are there and going through it, my best advice is to just go with the flow and let whatever happens happen. Ideally, I didn't want the epidural, but after 18 hours of labor and no sleep or food for 48 hours - I caved, and it was still a wonderful experience!!

Congratulations!!!

Hi Nikkie,

I also used a nurse midwife,but unlike yourself & the others,I hadn't been dx'd yet.She knew that I was having problems,but still felt totally comfortable & capable throughout my entire pregnancy.

I agree with weedlewub about the whole birth plan.I had it all planned to a T, but my daughter decided to come 6 weeks early & I had to be transferred to a different hospital where my midwife could not deliver.None the less,my whole experience with a nurse midwife during my pregnancy was absolutely wonderful!

Congratulations & good luck to ya!

FitzyK23: Concerning the epidural, it makes it harder to push & then they may need to use other equipment such as forcepts or the vacuum to get the baby out. Pain medication given to the mother will transfer to the baby. The best & safest way to ensure a good birth is naturally as women have done for thousands of years.

I had both my children natural, no epidural or pain medication. I had a midwife for my second birth & it was SO much better than my first. They have more insight to delivery I believe than OBs do. But that is of course, my opinion.

BTW, I am on pain medication now.... I just want to say I am not against pain medication, I just did not want to pass it along to my baby. I figured if I didn't want to pass along other over the counter medications such as nyquil & stuff like that, why would I want to pass along a narcotic to my brand new baby?!?

I am newly DXd, so I did not have problems then & didn't have a problem with my midwife. I did, however, have tachycardia that needed to see a cardiologist, which made me worry I couldn't have a natural delivery with my midwife, but it didn't change a thing. ; )

 Thank-you so much for replying to my question, I really appreciate it!  I am so glad to hear several of you were able to use midwifes despite your conditions.  I'm  not pregnant yet but hope to be in about a year/ year and a half.  I do hope and plan on a natural pregnancy and delivery, but I know there are no guarantees.  I have a birth plan typed up already, only about a page double spaced.  AS far as me and pain meds go , or epidurals, I don't do well with any medication.  Usually doesn't work or I have a bad reaction.  Hence why I've gone all natural in all areas of my life and hope to do the same with pregnancy and baby.  I agree with huckleberrie, midwifes are much better with birth.  They view it as a natural process as opposed to an emergency or medical condition.  But obviously if you are very sick or have a serious medical condition you should stick with an ob.  But for me all of those conventional birth things such as epidurals, episiotomies and drugs would probably do me more harm than good.  Obviously concerned about baby too.  But I believe each woman should choose for herself what is right for her and her baby.  To each his own you know.  Just keep in mind as women are bodies were made for giving birth naturally- no pushing on demand, inductions, or meds for pain. Interventions in the natural priocess usually cause other problems  Just a thought.  Once again thanks for responding.  NikkiE

I manage medical malpractice claims for an insurance company. Although labor and delivery is generally a happy and wonderful experience, it is not without risks. I would highly recommend if you use a nurse midwife, to deliver in a hospital setting (or hospital like setting with easy access to a hospital). Nurse midwives have more time to spend with their patients and don't just pop it when it's time to push. THere are plenty of nurse midwives who work in the hospital and if there are any problems, you have OBs, perinatologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists available, if necessary.