How to Choose Your Pregnancy Provider

Choosing a care provider for your pregnancy and birth can be a daunting and difficult task, but there’s a way to take the stress away. This is the most important choice you’ll make during labor

The first thing you should do is have a conversation with yourself and your partner about what you want out of a provider. This will often coincide with the labor you are planning, and where you want to give birth. To get a feel of the labor you want you should do three things. First, take a Lamaze class to be educated about all your options. Next, talk to your family and friends about their experiences and remember that when you're gathering this information that everyone’s birth is different, and that others may go through negative experiences with certain things that doesn’t mean that you will. Lastly, trust your instincts. Ultimately you will know what the right choice is for you and your baby. Always remember it’s never too late to make a change if you’re feeling concerned.

Now onto your options!

A midwife is a complete women’s care, prenatal, labor, birth and, postpartum provider for low-risk women (which is most women.) They can practice pretty much anywhere, at home, at a hospital or freestanding birth center, and the hospital so with a midwife you have the greatest options in terms of location. Midwives will also often have low rates of medical interventions such as induction, continuous EFM, episiotomy and, cesarean.

An OB/GYN is a complete women’s care provider that has expertise in high-risk pregnancy and surgery. They practice in the hospital and hospital-based birth centers. Many will recommend medical interventions including cesarean because they operate based on a medical model of care. Similarly, you may need a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. They specialize in non-routine care for high-risk pregnancies and, will perform surgery. This specialist only practices within the hospital. They will also have a higher rate of interventions but this is due to the complicated health conditions that are associated with mom or baby.

Lastly, you may decide to work with a family physician. These physicians offer complete healthcare for everyone, about 2-5% of them will deliver babies, manage routine care and, will refer to an OB if complications arise. They will work out of hospitals and hospital bases birth centers and may recommend medical interventions including cesarean.

There is tons of other information on these providers out there but the best thing you can do to decide what kind of provider is to ask questions! Below I have two of my favorite resources for you to use while interviewing for a potential care provider and potential birthplaces.

Questions for Potential Caregivers

Questions to ask About Birthplaces

As always it’s important to do your research and ask questions. Be your own and your baby’s advocate, good luck!

<3 Rachel