Midwives: What are they and should you and your partner have one?

Is a Midwife the Right Option for You and Your Partner?

When you are expecting a baby, there are many decisions you will have to make. At the top of this list is choosing who will care for mom during pregnancy and labor, ushering your little one into the world. It needs to be someone you trust to provide you with skilled, reliable, compassionate care, and the decision is very personal. You need to feel comfortable and connected to your care provider, so should you choose an OB-GYN or a midwife? Both are valid options, but there are some important differences between these two types of providers.

What is a Midwife?

The term midwife means “with woman,” and midwives have been helping to care for women throughout history. Midwives view pregnancy and birth as normal life events, and they care for women during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. They can also provide other women’s health services, like performing annual checkups and offering advice on birth control. For healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy, a midwife is a wonderful option. Midwives lean towards holistic, natural approaches to birth and labor, and some deliver babies away from the hospital, at home or in a birthing center, while others work at hospitals. There are different levels of midwifery.

• Certified nurse-midwife (CNM) indicates a registered nurse with a master’s or doctorate in nursing, who has been certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
• Certified midwife (CM) means a non-nurse who has a post-graduate degree in midwifery, along with certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board.
• Certified professional midwife (CPM) is the designation for specialists with knowledge and skills in midwifery and a certification from the North American Registry of Midwives.
• Lay midwives are not certified or licensed, and work almost entirely in homes.

How do Midwives Compare to Doctors?

An OB-GYN, or obstetrician-gynecologist, is a doctor whose speciality is women’s health, including reproductive health, pregnancy care, and delivering babies. An OB-GYN completes four years of medical school, four years of residency, and a three-year fellowship, and some pursue certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well. One big difference between midwives and doctors is that doctors can perform C-sections, while midwives cannot. That is why midwives primarily manage low-risk pregnancies and births. However, midwives do coordinate with OB-GYNs on higher-risk pregnancies at times. If you have a high-risk pregnancy but want to work with a midwife, talk to your doctor about midwives who work in the hospital.

What About Doulas?

While midwives deliver babies, doulas provide support during labor and birth. They do not have medical training, but can provide you with emotional and informational support. A doula knows how to assist a woman through contractions, can recommend different positions during labor, and do things like bring ice chips or rub your back. While a doula will not be able to deliver your baby, you might want one if you need a cheerleader or some extra support.

Making the Decision That’s Best for You

It is important to note that midwives work in partnership with doctors, even if the plan is for labor to occur somewhere other than a hospital. Midwives are adept at knowing what is normal in pregnancy and labor, and they will send a woman whose pregnancy becomes complicated to a specialist, to ensure the safety of the baby. Additionally, if there is a problem or complication during labor, the midwife and doctor will work together to make sure that baby and mom are safe and have the best care possible. When you are deciding between providers, talk about the protocol when something unexpected happens, and make sure you are comfortable with the plan.

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