Trusting someone to provide care for you and your unborn child can come with a lot of stress. It's a lot to think about. Having a child is something significant and you don't want to entrust this experience for just anyone to help you through. A major thing that can help all women that are thinking of becoming pregnant, or are already pregnant, is to know your options. Who's actually qualified to provide care?
Midwives
There are a few different types of midwives but for this post we're going to focus on the CNM or Certified Nurse Midwife. They are trained to care for women throughout all phases, not just pregnancy. However, they will provide care for women during and after pregnancy. With pregnancy, they care for women with pregnancies that are low risk. To become a Certified Nurse Midwife, education and certification is required. You would have to have been a Registered Nurse and then apply to a midwifery program. After that certification and licensing is the last step. They will either monitor your pregnancy at the hospital, a birthing center, or even your home. Your midwife (if you choose) will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to help guide you through the labor and deliver process, and even help with breastfeeding.
Obstetrician
An Obstetrician is a Medical Doctor that specializes in the care of women's care before, during, and soon after pregnancy. To become an Obstetrician or OB you would have to complete medical school and then complete training to care for the different aspects of pregnancy. An OB can provide care for either low or high risk pregnancies. They are trained in surgery as well, so they will be able to perform a c-section if needed. They're also able to help with other reproductive issues such as infertility, PCOS, and endometriosis. There's also a provider known as a Perinatologist or Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. These are providers that specialize in treating high risk patients and fetal abnormalities. A maternal fetal medicine specialist completes three years of a fellowship that an Obstetrician does not to qualify them to treat and provide for patients.
Making the decision to see a Midwife or an OB is completely up to you. Make sure you do your research and know where you are in your pregnancy. This way you can determine which provider would be a better benefit to you! I've been fortunate enough to have experiences with both and OB and a Midwife. Take your time, ask questions, and make the best decision for you and your unborn child. Until next time. Sending you love and light!
Tiffany Underwood
Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula
#OBGYN #OB #Midwife #prenatalcare #highrisk #csection #vaginaldelivery #breastfeeding #maternalfetalmedicine
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