Choosing a Doctor or Midwife

The person you health care professional you choose to provide for your care during your pregnancy, labor, and delivery will play a large part in the kind of experience that you have. This is a special and important time in your life, so don’t rush to make this decision. Take your time and choose the healthcare provider that is right for you.

One of the best ways to find a doctor or a midwife is by word of mouth. Ask your friends who they used and how it worked out. Once you have narrowed your choices down, you will want to make sure the health care professional is covered by your insurance. Of course, you will want to choose someone who is qualified and who you feel comfortable with, but beyond that, there are many things to consider.

Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) or Midwife (CNM)?

An OB/GYN is a medical doctor who specializes in women’s health issues and reproduction. An OB/GYN will deliver your baby in a hospital. It is possible that if your doctor is not available when you are in labor, the on-call doctor at his or her clinic will deliver your baby. Consider an OB/GYN if you feel strongly that you want a doctor to attend to you during your labor and birth, if want pain relief during labor, if you have a high risk pregnancy, or if you have a great deal of anxiety about labor and birth.

A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse who has been specially trained in maternity care, labor and delivery. Some midwives deliver only in hospitals, while others deliver in birth centers. Some midwives will do home deliveries. Midwives may not administer medications (pain relief), cannot perform cesarean sections, or handle many pregnancy complications. Midwives work with doctors who are available to assist or take over if complications occur. Consider a midwife if you want a natural birth and/or you want to give birth somewhere other than a hospital.

Questions to Ask

Choosing a doctor or a midwife is a big decision, so feel free to ask any questions you may have. If you sense that the health care professional is reluctant or too busy to answer your questions, he or she is probably not the right professional for you. Here are some questions you might consider asking:

• How long have you been in practice?
• How many babies do you deliver a week?
• Why did you decide to become an OB/GYN?
• How do you feel about natural birth (if you are planning to have one)?
• What is your philosophy about pain relief?
• How do you feel about birth plans?
• What is your cesarean rate?
• Who will I see for my office visits (if in a group practice)
• Are you available to answer questions between appointments?
• What if I go beyond my due date?
• What if my labor goes long or there are complications?
• Will you be in town around my due date?
• Who will deliver my baby if you are not available? 

Go with Your Gut

You need to feel comfortable with and confident in your doctor or midwife, so trust your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, find someone else, even if the professional is highly recommended and has answered all your questions satisfactorily. Remember, you will be seeing a lot of this person, and he or she may be making some critical decisions about you and your baby.  Choose someone you can trust.

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