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Pregnancy comes with many decisions to be made, including whether or not you should opt for a traditional delivery with a OB/GYN or rely on a midwife to help you. If you are uncertain whether you should use a doctor or midwife, here is what you should know to help make your decision.
Who Has the Most Medical Training?
Of course you know that your OB/GYN has completed medical school and a residency before opening practice, but you might not realize that a midwife has a significant amount of training, too. Some midwives have bachelor's and master's degrees in health-related fields. Many are nurses who have practiced with OB/GYNs for years before starting their own practice.
In addition to being educated and trained, midwives also have to undergo testing to be licensed to practice. Depending on which state you live in, the midwives might be required to undergo additional specialized training, which would allow them to perform tasks such as prescribing medications.
Do Midwives Handle High Risk Pregnancies?
High risk pregnancies are those that are complicated by another medical condition, such as epilepsy or diabetes. If your pregnancy is considered to be high risk, it is best to see an OB/GYN. In the event that you do not develop a medical condition until later in your pregnancy after you have already started seeing the midwife, he or she will transfer your care to an OB/GYN.
Do You Want to Deliver at Home?
If delivering at home or a birthing center is important to you, a midwife is your best option. Most OB/GYNs do not offer delivery outside of the hospital. However, it is important to note that if you are worried about problems arising during the labor and delivery or you want pain medication, you will need to go to the hospital when it is time to have the baby. The midwife can still deliver your baby, but he or she will have the additional support of the hospital staff and an OB/GYN on-call if something happens.
Do You Need Additional Support?
Midwives tend to offer more than just physical support for your pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Midwives also offer emotional support. During a typical visit with a midwife, there is usually more time allowed for addressing concerns than with an OB/GYN.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use a midwife or OB/GYN is up to you and your partner. If you need to, interview both professionals to help ensure you make the right decision. Women's Healthcare Associates LLC is a local business that offers midwifery.
Share10 August 2015
