You will see your prenatal care provider many times before you have your baby. So you want to be sure that the person you choose has a good reputation, and listens to and respects you.
You will want to find out if the doctor or midwife can deliver your baby in the place you want to give birth, such as a specific hospital or birthing center.
Your provider also should be willing and able to give you the information and support you need to make an informed choice about whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed.
Health care providers that care for women during pregnancy include:
- Obstetricians (OB) are medical doctors who specialize in the care of pregnant women and in delivering babies.
OBs also have special training in surgery so they are also able to do a cesarean delivery.
Women who have health problems or are at risk for pregnancy complications should see an obstetrician.
Women with the highest risk pregnancies might need special care from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
- Family practice doctors are medical doctors who provide care for the whole family through all stages of life. This includes care during pregnancy and delivery, and following birth.
Most family practice doctors cannot perform cesarean deliveries.
- A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and certified professional midwife (CPM) are trained to provide pregnancy and postpartum care.
Midwives can be a good option for healthy women at low risk for problems during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. A CNM is educated in both nursing and midwifery.
Most CNMs practice in hospitals and birth centers.
A CPM is required to have experience delivering babies in home settings because most CPMs practice in homes and birthing centers.
All midwives should have a back-up plan with an obstetrician in case of a problem or emergency.
Ask your primary care doctor, friends, and family members for provider recommendations. When making your choice, think about:
- Reputation
- Personality and bedside manner
- The provider's gender and age
- Office location and hours
- Whether you always will be seen by the same provider during office checkups and delivery
- Who covers for the provider when she or he is not available
- Where you want to deliver
- How the provider handles phone consultations and after-hour calls
For more resources on pregnancy click here.