While both types of practitioners are trained and experienced in labor

and delivery, nurse midwives cannot provide all of the services that a

doctor can. In the event surgery is needed to deliver a baby, such as a
cesarean section, only an obstetrician has the training to deliver the
baby under those circumstances

The main difference between an OB/GYN and a midwife is that midwives are

trained to deal with women who are having normal, uncomplicated, low-risk
pregnancies and doctors are trained to handle any complications. ... An OB/GYN
is a doctor who completed medical school and specializes in obstetrics and
gynecology

What’s the difference between an OB/GYN and a midwife?

There are differences between an OB/GYN and a midwife. And, this isn’t to say
one is better over the other, because it really does come down to a personal
choice and what you feel is best for you. Determining what qualifications and
skills are the most important to you will help guide you in the decision to find the
perfect provider.
The main difference between an OB/GYN and a midwife is that midwives are
trained to deal with women who are having normal, uncomplicated, low-risk
pregnancies and doctors are trained to handle any complications. It’s important
to note that if there are any complications with your pregnancy, or if any develop
while you are pregnant and under the care of a midwife, you will be referred to
an obstetrician.
An OB/GYN and a midwife provide similar services but here is where they differ:
 A midwife uses fewer medical interventions during childbirth and are great
if you are planning a natural birth. An OB/GYN is trained to handle any type
o - natural childbirth experience. An OBGYN is a good choice if you plan to
have an epidural and want a hospital experience.
  An OB/GYN handles high-risk pregnancies and reproduction issues. A
midwife is not allowed to attend high-risk pregnancies and their care is
limited to the mother and child after pregnancy occurs.
 An OB/GYN is a doctor who completed medical school and specializes in
obstetrics and gynecology. Choosing an OB/GYN will mean you will deliver
in a hospital setting. A midwife is not a doctor but someone who attends
midwifery school to receive training in obstetrics and gynecology.
 If surgery is needed to deliver a baby, only an OB/GYN has the training to
deliver the baby.

Do I know OB/GYN’s and midwives?

I know many OB/GYN’s and midwives. Even though Motherhood Center is
centrally located in Houston, many of our clients are in the surrounding metro
area, so our list of physicians isn’t geographically limited to the medical center.
Finding the right physician for a client can be a challenge – clients have many
different reasons for seeking out a care provider and determining what
qualifications and skills are most important to them is key in pointing them in the
right direction.

Are you searching for a physician or midwife? Check out  this article  with tips
and pointers to guide you along during your search for the perfect provider!

Which is better for me to use, an OB/GYN or midwife?

It is important to feel very comfortable with your provider and their staff. Feeling
reassured, confident and at ease with your OB/GYN or midwife is the most
important factor when choosing a provider. Pregnancy, childbirth and of course,
the “fourth trimester” are all crucial parts of a woman’s life – a time she will never
forget!
If you would like to sit down and discuss your options, don’t hesitate to call 713-
963-8880 or send me an email to support@[Link] and
let’s set up a maternity consultation! After discussing your needs and wishes, I’m
better able to point you in the right direction and assist you with finding the
perfect practitioner for their pregnancy.

What’s the difference between an OB/GYN and a midwife?

There are differences between an OB/GYN and a midwife. And, this isn’t to say
one is better over the other, because it really does come down to a personal
choice and what you feel is best for you. Determining what qualifications and
skills are the most important to you will help guide you in the decision to find the
perfect provider.
The main difference between an OB/GYN and a midwife is that midwives are
trained to deal with women who are having normal, uncomplicated, low-risk
pregnancies and doctors are trained to handle any complications. It’s important
to note that if there are any complications with your pregnancy, or if any develop
while you are pregnant and under the care of a midwife, you will be referred to
an obstetrician.
An OB/GYN and a midwife provide similar services but here is where they differ:
 A midwife uses fewer medical interventions during childbirth and are great
if you are planning a natural birth. An OB/GYN is trained to handle any type
of childbirth. A midwife is a good choice if you are looking to have an
unmedicated natural childbirth experience. An OBGYN is a good choice if
you plan to have an epidural and want a hospital experience.
 An OB/GYN handles high-risk pregnancies and reproduction issues. A
midwife is not allowed to attend high-risk pregnancies and their care is
limited to the mother and child after pregnancy occurs.
  An OB/GYN is a doctor who completed medical school and specializes in
obstetrics and gynecology. Choosing an OB/GYN will mean you will deliver
in a hospital setting. A midwife is not a doctor but someone who attends
midwifery school to receive training in obstetrics and gynecology.
 If surgery is needed to deliver a baby, only an OB/GYN has the training to
deliver the baby.

Midwife vs. OB-GYN: What the differences

are and how to choose after finding out
you’re pregnant
You probably know that both an OB-GYN and a midwife can deliver babies. But
they share far more in common.
Midwives and OB-GYNs are both highly trained and certified
Midwives and OB-GYNs are experts in women’s health and pregnancy care who
have extensive specialty training and experience in their field. In addition, each
has received a relevant certification, which means they have demonstrated
knowledge and skill within their area of expertise.
Midwives and OB-GYNs are committed to your safety and comfort
Midwives and OB-GYNs are extremely passionate about what they do. And they
want to make sure you and your baby are happy, healthy and safe throughout
your pregnancy experience. So, they’ll work with you to honor your pregnancy
goals and birth plan, while also offering their expertise and information on all
your care options as your pregnancy progresses, including pain management
during labor and delivery.
Midwives and OB-GYNs strive to give you the best experience
You probably have a vision or plan for how you want your prenatal care, and labor
and delivery to go. However, you might think you need to trade experience for
expertise (or vice versa) depending on the type of care provider you choose. But
that’s not true.
At HealthPartners, our OB-GYNs, midwives and pregnancy care teams strive to
deliver your baby, your way. That means we all want to help you have the care
and child birthing experience you’re hoping for, regardless of who you choose as
your primary specialist.
Now, let’s talk about the differences between a midwife and an OB-GYN
OB-GYNs and midwives both provide great pregnancy care and safely deliver
babies. But there are some fundamental differences.
OB-GYNs and midwives have different credentials and educational backgrounds
While OB-GYNs and midwives are part of the same specialty area, the training,
education requirements and credentials they hold are different.
OB-GYNs are medical doctors
An OB-GYN – which is short for obstetrician-gynecologist – is a medical doctor
who specializes in women’s reproductive health, as well as pregnancy care and
delivering babies. They’re also surgically trained and can perform Cesarean
sections (C-sections) when necessary. You may already visit an OB-GYN for your
annual well-woman’s visit.
When it comes to training and education, OB-GYNs complete four years of
medical school, a four-year residency program and a three-year fellowship.
Board-eligible vs. Board-certified OB-GYNs
OB-GYNs – like other medical doctors – can also pursue certification from
the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) after they’ve
completed their residency and gotten their license to practice. Board-certification
is optional but a mark of distinction, implying that a doctor has gone above and
beyond the minimum standard of education in their field.
The path to certification requires passing a qualifying exam, preparing an
extensive case list demonstrating expertise in multiple categories, and then
passing a certification exam. At HealthPartners, all our OB-GYNs are board-
certified.
Midwives are trained and experienced health professionals
Like OB-GYNs, many midwives can provide a broad range of women’s health
services such as annual checkups, birth control and menopause care. But
pregnancy, birth and postpartum care is what they’re most widely known for.
They work closely with the rest of your health care team (e.g. OB-GYN or family
doctor) to meet your needs during your pregnancy. Many women continue to use
their midwives for care after their delivery, too.
There are three levels of midwifery credentials:
 Certified professional midwife (CPM) – Certified professional midwives are
specialists who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in providing
midwifery services, and been certified by the North American Registry of
Midwives.
  Certified midwife (CM) – Certified midwives are non-nurses who have
earned a post-graduate degree in midwifery, and have also been certified
by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
 Certified nurse-midwife (CNM) – Certified nurse midwives are registered
nurses (RNs) who have masters or doctorate degrees in nursing. They have
also received their American Midwifery Certification Board certification.
In the United States, the vast majority of midwives have completed graduate
degrees. At HealthPartners, all of our midwives are CNMs.

OB-GYNs and midwives have different birthing specialties

Birthing specialties are one of the most important differences between midwives
and OB-GYNs. Why? Depending on your needs, certain specialized care may be
required for you and your baby’s health and safety. And depending on your
preferences, you may be looking for someone who has specific experience. Here
are a few examples:
 High-risk vs. low-risk pregnancies – OB-GYNs can manage high-risk or
complicated pregnancies such as women who are expecting twins or have
preexisting medical conditions. Midwives, on the other hand, can manage
low-risk pregnancies and births.
 Water births – While water births (or tub births) are becoming increasingly
common in hospital settings where OB-GYNs are the primary care provider,
they are very common within the midwifery specialty. So, if you are leaning
toward a midwife, chances are high that water births are among their top
specialties.
 C-sections – Midwives can’t perform C-sections, whether they’re planned in
advance or become needed to safely deliver your baby. OB-GYNs have the
surgical training to perform scheduled, unplanned and emergency C-
sections, which is one of the reasons they can handle high-risk or
complicated pregnancies.
Midwives sometimes deliver babies outside a hospital setting
OB-GYNs almost always deliver babies inside a hospital-based birth center. But
midwives can deliver babies in a few different ways:
 Home births – When women with low-risk pregnancies plan home births,
midwives are the professionals who support the labor and delivery process.
 Freestanding birth centers – Freestanding birth centers are not part of a
hospital and they’re designed to provide a home-like, non-medical
environment for birth. While some freestanding birth centers may have OB-
GYNs on their care team, midwives are usually the main care providers.
 Hospital-based birth center – Midwives – like our certified nurse-midwives
– can also be part of a larger care team at a hospital. A hospital setting is
the safest place for giving birth. There, midwives can offer more pain
management options and connect you with other specialized care if need
be. All our midwives deliver at hospital-based birth centers.
Doula vs. midwife: Another part of the pregnancy care
equation
As you’re considering your options, midwives and doulas may come up in
your research and conversations with friends. And it’s important to know what
sets them apart.

So, what is a doula?

Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional and

informational support throughout the pregnancy, birth and postpartum
experience.

What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?

While doulas are trained professionals, they’re not trained health

professionals like midwives. 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.

What about family doctors? Can they provide

pregnancy care?
Yes. 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.

Choosing between an OB-GYN and midwife for pregnancy care: What to

consider

Choosing who to trust with your pregnancy care and child’s birth is a very
personal decision. Your goals, preferences, and health and safety should all
be top of mind. Here are some things to consider as you weigh your options.
Is your pregnancy considered high risk?

If your pregnancy is deemed high risk or complicated, you’ll work with an OB-
GYN who may also coordinate care with a maternal-fetal medicine doctor,
who specialize in high-risk pregnancies. 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. If you’re
expecting twins, triplets or other multiples, your pregnancy may be considered
both high risk and complicated.

Where do you want to deliver your baby?

If you’re low risk and are considering a home birth or a freestanding birth
center, a midwife is likely at the top of your list of potential care providers.

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.

However, most OB-GYNs and midwives only deliver at one or two select
hospitals. So, when you’re choosing between a midwife and OB-GYN, you
may also be choosing a hospital to give birth at.

How do you want to deliver your baby?

If you’re low risk and leaning toward a water birth or hypnobirthing, an
experienced midwife is who you’ll want to look into. But regardless of risk, if you
think you’d be more comfortable with a medical doctor providing your care, then
an OB-GYN might be the best fit.
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.
How do you want to manage pain during labor and delivery?
Whether you’re planning to forgo pain medication or you know you want an
epidural, both midwives and OB-GYNs can provide you with a range of options.
That said, midwives often specialize in natural or little-to-no pain medication
births. So, make sure to ask any midwives you’re considering about their
experience in this area.
Your pain management options will also be limited if you choose a home birth or
a freestanding birth center. So, if there’s any chance that you may want more
options or you just want some peace of mind, make sure you choose a hospital to
deliver at.
What kind of team do they work with?
The person you choose will likely be part of a larger team. Some teams are multi-
disciplinary, meaning they work alongside a lot of different specialists. Other
teams may be more focused within their specialty area.
It’s important to understand what kind of team your midwife or OB-GYN works
with for a few reasons:
 If you choose a midwife for care, you’ll want to make sure they have the
ability to coordinate care with an OB-GYN and other specialists if
complications arise.
 Depending on the appointment type, you may not see your OB-GYN or
midwife for every prenatal appointment. So, it’s good to find out who you
may be getting care from on a regular basis.
 The midwife or OB-GYN you choose for prenatal care may or may not be
the one to deliver your baby. Every clinic is different but OB-GYNs and
midwives usually share hospital on-call duties with a group of others in
their field. That means “your” doctor may not be on-call when baby decides
to make their entrance. So, for peace of mind, it’s good to know who’s on
their team.
What kind of ongoing care do you want?
OB-GYNs and midwives can provide ongoing care for your reproductive health.
So, as you’re looking at your options, think about whether you want someone you
can see for years (and maybe even pregnancies) to come. Think about the
qualities and areas of expertise that are important to you, from preventive care to
fertility.
LYN, RN