What is the difference between midwife and ob gyn

However, in many other areas—including cities—the demand for midwives still exceeds the supply. If you wish to go the midwife route, start contacting midwives or midwifery practices as early in your pregnancy as possible. Keep an open mind, get recommendations from family and friends and meet a few experts in person if possible. I need a midwife! First, what is a midwife? What is an obstetrician? Midwife or OB: What is the safest option? Do you have a typical, healthy pregnancy?

Where do you want to deliver? How much one-on-one care is important to you? Is continuity of care important to you? What are your feelings on pain management and medical interventions? This might include showers, massage, acupressure, trying different positions or using a birthing ball. What are your expectations while at the hospital? Will you be restricted to a bed and hooked up to a continuous fetal monitor or are you able to move around freely while taking pause for intermittent monitoring?

Are you considered high-risk? A high-risk pregnancy is defined as one that threatens the life of the mother or her fetus. These may include women with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, advanced maternal age, and pregnancies with multiples twins or more.

Which one delivers your baby will ultimately depend on your medical circumstances. Is this your first birth? In some cases, the answer may be dictated by hospital policy. How can we help you? Where are we located?

Follow us on Facebook. Contact Here are a few examples:. OB-GYNs almost always deliver babies inside a hospital-based birth center. But midwives can deliver babies in a few different ways:. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional and informational support throughout the pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. Doulas do not deliver babies, rather they provide support through the process. Midwives and OB-GYNs deliver babies and are responsible for the health and well-being of their patients.

At HealthPartners, we can help connect expectant mothers with doulas and welcome them in our hospitals. Family medicine doctors can provide care during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. But not all family doctors practice pregnancy care. And for those that do, not all have trained to perform C-sections.

So, if you already have a family doctor and think you may want to continue to see them, check with them to see if they can provide you the right care. Think a family doctor may be right for you pregnancy? Find a family doctor and schedule an appointment. Your goals, preferences, and health and safety should all be top of mind. Here are some things to consider as you weigh your options.

Remember, midwives focus only on low-risk pregnancies and births. What is a high-risk pregnancy? If you have a preexisting medical condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, you may be considered high risk.

But the vast majority of births happen at hospitals or their attached birth centers, where both OB-GYNs and midwives can deliver babies. Hospitals are always the safest place to deliver your baby.

If you want a wide range of birthing and pain management options so you can have flexibility when birth day arrives, finding a midwife or an OB-GYN who delivers at a hospital is key. That said, midwives often specialize in natural or little-to-no pain medication births. Your pain management options will also be limited if you choose a home birth or a freestanding birth center. Ask yourself, 'Is this where I see myself giving birth? You can be sure you're not making decisions based on unfounded fears by taking the time to educate yourself about your options.

By Judy Koutsky Updated July 08, Save Pin FB More. Credit: Getty Images. Art: Jillian Sellers. By Judy Koutsky. Comments 1. Sort by: Newest. Newest Oldest. Load More Comments. Close this dialog window Add a comment.

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