Q. I just had my baby almost 6 weeks ago. My labor was 95 minutes start to finish. We almost had a car birth. We aren't planning on another baby for at least two years but I am curious how my pregnancy management would change bacause of this. My OB told me next time I would have an induction at 38 weeks. I imagine that is typical protocol for an OB. How would management by a midwife differ?

A. When you have had a quick labor, it can be nervewracking. My experience has been usually we error on the side of caution. In otherwords, at the first symptom we all rush to the hospital, thinking THIS IS IT! Sometimes those subsequent labors end up dragging on as we go to the hospital earlier than necessary.

This is a tough decision. It can be tempting to be induced early. It also can make for a difficult labor. And what if the baby is not quite ready when the induction is done?

There is info on the American College of Nurse-Midwives site called Giving Birth "In Place" which might be good for you to read. From the article introduction, "This is not a "do-it-yourself" guide for a planned home birth, nor is it all the information you need for every emergency. It is not meant to replace the knowledge and skills of a doctor or midwife. The information is a basic guide for parents-to-be who wish to be ready in case they have to give birth before they can get to a hospital or birth center."

Obviously, this is something you'll need to discuss seriously with potential careproviders so that you can reach a plan that everyone, especially you, feels comfortable with. Good luck!