Choosing Your Care Provider
In a nutshell
Your care provider and place of birth are two of the most important decisions you can make prenatally. Pregnancy and birth can be intimate and vulnerable times so choosing a provider you feel comfortable with is important. There is no ideal birth or provider for everyone. Finding a care provider who is aligned with your outlook improves the liklihood of a positive birth experience.
Dig deeper
MEDICAL vs PATIENT-CENTERED Model of Care
Any provider, physician or midwife, can subscribe to either model of care and most land somewhere in between. Neither model is right or wrong. It is important to consider the things that matter to you. And it is also important to not to assume a provider's philosophies without asking them insightful questions, such as those listed in the resource section.
Options
Prefer Midwife
Two types of Midwives
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) have gone to nursing school before getting a Masters in Midwifery. They typically work at hospitals and run birth centers, however some attend home births or may attend births in multiple settings.
Certified nurse midwives that practice in the hospital setting often work together with physicians. Because of this, they can often provide care to higher risk people compared to out of hospital midwives.
Direct Entry Midwives such as Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) go straight into midwifery school or on the job training. These midwives mostly attend home births and sometimes birth center births (depending on state regulations). The regulations for this type of midwife vary from state to state.
Midwives typically focus on low risk pregnancies and births. Most people who start in a low risk category, remain in that category. But it is important to have a plan should additional medical needs arise for you or your baby. Talk with your provider to find out how they approach these situations.
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