Would having a male midwife bother you ?

[ChristmasRobinFly]

Just watching the us office birth episode where the male Breast feeding consultant comes along

and reminded me of having a male midwife and I felt uncomfortable but too embarrassed to say actually, I don’t mean to be sexist but
actually no, I don’t feel comfortable with this

I have history of SA and thought I would detest a male midwife but actually my experience was only positive.

Had a lovely male midwife who treated me so well and even stayed and comforted me after the far more senior female midwife told me more or less to get over myself when I cried over how roughly she was examining me, she was horrific. I think the important thing was he was very clear about what he doing at all times and made it very clear that if I preferred a female at any point I only need to say and he would get one.

I think women should always have the choice.

Ahhh. Sorry it took several goes for me to get it!

I’m fine with a man, but I also did not see the appeal of that book or that man. I wouldn’t want him (or a female midwife who’d read the book and agreed with the various sentiments in it, although I appreciate I wouldn’t know that)

A male midwife taught me how to get my baby to latch on. He was marvellous.

As a rape victim, I get the issue but the priority has to be the safety of the baby and mother and the experience the health professionals bring.

@Switcherme too. I was a bit surprised at first, it was fine though

He actually was called midwife
it was on his name badge

As long as they were qualified and experienced I couldn’t care less.

If he was normal, nice and competent I wouldn’t care.

My male widwife was by far the best midwife in the delivery room. I probably wouldn’t have got through my labour without him!

Absolutely not. I will always be suspicious of any man who wants to work with women who are in a vulnerable position - often naked and in pain.

All the consultants at the hospital where I had my DC were male, so had internal examinations from them each time. There was no choice. I didn’t have a male midwife but not sure it would have been any different.

A male medical student delivered one of my babies, under the supervision of a senior midwife. He was a lovely young man, he explained he had to deliver 10 babies to tick off that part of his training and I was happy to oblige. By the time I was ready to push out the baby I wouldnt have cared if it was a pack of wolves delivering him 🤣🤣

Including any doctor then?

Agree! I’d heard a lot about it and expected it to be good but you’re right there were a few incidents throughout where it made me uncomfortable.
I remember one story he told of a woman screaming that she was in pain and wanted her uterus to be removed. She was examined and nothing wrong was found and she left. It was told in a way that she was being unreasonable and maybe crazy but I just felt sorry for her. He lacked empathy there I thought.
And another where he purposely stitched up someone so their tattoo was misaligned and messed up. I think the woman wasn’t a nice person but I thought you shouldn’t punish people like that.

I had one, I found it utterly unremarkable since I'm a functional adult.

Are you suggesting those who prefer a female midwife are somehow less than a functioning adult?

Pretty childish imo to chide and belittle women for exerting personal choice. Often informed choice thanks to the large numbers of male HCPs who regularly feature in the news as a result of their behaviour.

My male community midwife was a complete gem and had looked after women in our area for over 20 years.

Here’s just one example.

Google is your friend if you need more.

https://nursingnotes.co.uk/news/nurse-midwife-stuck-off-for-making-and-distributing-indecent-images-of-children/

It wouldn't bother me. My last birth was elcs and I didn't have much contact with any midwives. I had a male obstetrician who did the op and scanned me once a month during pg. He was great and I was in safe hands. He never went near my crotch though. I had a vaginal birth for my first and had a female midwife for that. But I would have been fine with a male midwife then too. I just see it as any other medical procedure, and just want someone who is qualified, capable and experienced.

Wouldn’t bother me but if I felt uncomfortable I’d asked for a female. My breastfeeding consultant had never breastfed herself so I assume they’d have the same advice.

Wouldn’t bother me. By the time I gave birth at least 6 different drs and midwives had become intimate with my va jay jay so what’s the point in being embarrassed!

After a 2 day labour, 4 shift changes including one with a student midwife and midwife so double examinations every time to check the student was right....when a male obstetrician came along to drag ds out with forceps I didn't really care.

I had a male midwife.

I was surprised to have a midwife at all as I paid for a private obstetrician in a private hospital for an elective c-section.

I went through my entire pregnancy without ever seeing a midwife. I saw the obstetrician. She did everything.

A friend had lost her baby during childbirth because the midwives failed to seek assistance from an obstetrician during a difficult birth. By the time the obstetrician was called it was too late. She almost died as well.

When I was being wheeled in to the OR there was an older, very loud (extremely annoying) female midwife who was to be present. Thankfully a male midwife took over at the last minute as the female midwife loudly declared it was time for her break. I was so relieved. There were so many people present yet she thought she was the most important person in the room.

The male midwife was fine. He was quiet and asked if I wanted him to take some pictures - which was nice. He left me alone while everyone else was busy doing things. I don’t even know why he was there. Maybe he wheeled me out to the ward - it’s possible that’s what he did.

My anaesthesiologist was male and I didn’t have a problem with him either.

I have been present at a birth where I was not impressed by the midwives and thankfully a male obstetrician stepped in and took control of things. I wasn’t impressed by the way the midwives conducted themselves.

I don’t have a preference for sex status - I just want medical professionals to be competent.

The paediatrician that was present was also male and I didn’t have a problem with him either.

I had a male gynaecologist once. He said something very creepy and misogynistic to me. I should have complained but it was the 90's and I was only 20. He was clearly turned on by the whole thing. It was revolting. That experience has made me think male gynaecologists are best avoided. I wouldn't be keen on a male midwife ever.