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Dementia and Your Loved One
7 Questions Answered About Obgyns And Midwives
Vickie Armstrong
Whether you're having your first baby or fifth, choosing the right medical provider is key to a healthy pregnancy. Understanding your options is a must-do before you make any decision. The two top traditional choices are an OB/GYN and a certified nurse midwife.
- What are the training differences for an OB/GYN and a midwife? An obstetrician (gynecologist) is a medical doctor who has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least four years of residency training in the specialty. A certified nurse midwife (or CNM) must have a bachelor's degree, graduate education in midwifery and pass a certification exam, according to the American College of Nurse-Midwives. In addition, a CNM must also be a registered nurse (RN).
- Do OB/GYNs and CNMs deliver babies in different places? Sometimes. Most medical doctors do deliveries in hospitals. CNMs also work in hospitals, providing gynecology services and delivering babies. Midwives also may provide home delivery services or work in birthing centers.
- What happens in the event of a C-section? You need a licensed doctor, such as an OB/GYN, for a C-section. A cesarean section is a surgical procedure. Midwives are not trained or certified as surgeons. If you have already chosen a midwife and you need emergency surgery, a doctor will be called in for the procedure. Depending on your situation, you may still be able to receive after care from your CNM.
- What is a lay midwife? A lay midwife is someone who has informal training and no license or certification. Unlike a certified midwife, the lay midwife does not necessarily have an advanced degree. The amount of training and professional knowledge that these midwives have varies greatly. Be wary of anyone without a certification, credential or license from a national association or organization or a "midwife" with no university-level education.
- Do OB/GYNs and certified nurse midwives offer different services? In many cases, both types of professional provides the same or similar services. Both offer prenatal health exams, delivery/birthing care and follow-up/post-delivery care.
- What about continuing care? After you've had your baby, are through the post-partum period and are ready to return to your routine yearly gynecological care, who do you see? Both the OB/GYN and nurse midwife offer continuing gynecological services. These include regular checkups, screenings, problem care and family planning/birth control.
- Do insurance plans pay more for one type of medical professional over another? Not necessarily. The answer to this question depends on what type of insurance you have and their policies. Most plans do pay for certified nurse midwives, but few pay for the lay version.
For more information, contact The Ob-Gyn Group or a similar organization.
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