What is the difference between a gynecologist and a midwife

Midwives also use technology such as fetal monitors, but rely heavily on their clinical experience. They can't do C-sections though some may assist in the operating room. That's partly because they can. Unlike midwives, they are trained to manage high-risk pregnancies and can perform surgeries.

OB-GYN can also use forceps and vacuums to facilitate delivery, whereas midwives are legally prohibited from doing so. However, research also indicates that fetal and maternal outcomes are equally good when comparing OB-GYN and midwife births. Another important topic: payment for service. Both OB-GYNs and midwives are licensed and highly regulated health care providers in all 50 states—and your health insurance covers their care if you're delivering in a hospital.

Most will also cover some share of a birthing center delivery, but home births are generally not covered. Niebyl and Johnson say that who you have deliver your baby boils down to what you need. If you're grappling with the decision between an OB-GYN and a midwife, the best thing to do is to start by answering these seven questions. As a profession, midwives are ardent supporters of vaginal births.

OB-GYNs may or may not be. Trollip and this was one of the best experiences we have had at a doctors office. The staff is super friendly and very caring. Trollip was full of information and went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable.

I highly recommend this office! Briscoe was amazing and made you feel welcomed and also listened to what you wanted out of your appointment. Highly recommend this office. Our office is conveniently located on the campus of Rex Healthcare in the Medical Plaza Building at:.

Patients may utilize the Rex Hospital parking deck adjacent to the building. Monday through Thursday: am to pm Friday: am to pm. Patient Portal. Request Appointment. Join Us On Facebook. Segal, MD Brian C. But the cost of delivering a baby primarily varies based on where you deliver and what type of delivery you have, not who delivers your baby. It all depends on your health insurance plan. The one exception here may be home births. Home births are usually not covered by most insurance plans.

Likewise, there are different insurance coverage levels associated with C-sections and vaginal deliveries. Member services representatives are there to answer exactly these types of calls. If you have HealthPartners insurance, you can log into your HealthPartners online account. Or, call Member Services at the number on the back of your member ID card.

We try to make it as simple as possible for you to find the right specialist for your pregnancy care. From there you can make an appointment with the person of your choice, or you can explore their individual profiles and reviews to help you choose. Another way we make it easy for you to get great care is by offering a range of appointment options, which includes in-person and video visits for prenatal care.

Midwives and OB-GYNs strive to give you the best experience You probably have a vision or plan for how you want your prenatal care, and labor and delivery to go. OB-GYNs and midwives have different credentials and educational backgrounds While OB-GYNs and midwives are part of the same specialty area, the training, education requirements and credentials they hold are different. Board-eligible vs. There are three levels of midwifery credentials : Certified professional midwife CPM — Certified professional midwives are specialists who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in providing midwifery services, and been certified by the North American Registry of Midwives.

Certified midwife CM — Certified midwives are non-nurses who have earned a post-graduate degree in midwifery, and have also been certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

They have also received their American Midwifery Certification Board certification. Here are a few examples: High-risk vs. Midwives, on the other hand, can manage low-risk pregnancies and births. Water births — While water births or tub births are becoming increasingly common in hospital settings where OB-GYNs are the primary care provider, they are very common within the midwifery specialty. So, if you are leaning toward a midwife, chances are high that water births are among their top specialties.

OB-GYNs have the surgical training to perform scheduled, unplanned and emergency C-sections , which is one of the reasons they can handle high-risk or complicated pregnancies. Midwives sometimes deliver babies outside a hospital setting OB-GYNs almost always deliver babies inside a hospital-based birth center.

Starting with the similarities, both midwives and OB-GYNs are trained to provide medical care, support, and guidance in the following areas:. And, again, both types of healthcare professionals ultimately want to see the very best outcome for their pregnant patients and their babies.

OB-GYNs , or obstetricians , are medical doctors who are also trained to perform surgeries. As it relates to pregnancy, these surgeries can include cesarean deliveries C-sections and episiotomies. OB-GYNs are also trained to manage pregnancy-related complications with medical interventions such as inductions or assisted deliveries.

These include graduating from an accredited and approved medical school and completing 4 years of residency covering gynecology, obstetrics, ultrasonography, gynecological oncology, and preventative care. They must also pass a test regulated by the ABOG and earn state certification to practice in their state.

OB-GYNs can practice in hospitals, clinics, or a private or group practice. Note that some OB-GYNs pursue additional studies and specialize in specific niches such as infertility or fetal medicine. Here are statements on their mission, vision, and core values.

A direct-entry midwife is anyone who enters directly into the field of midwifery without becoming a nurse first. CNMs are by far the most common and have the most education CMs are kind of the little sister to CNMs: less education, but same scope of practice. There are not very many CMs. CPMs are the next most common. CNMs and CMs can work in any setting, but most work in hospitals.

Aside from training and accreditation, midwives focus more on encouraging vaginal birth and providing holistic care for pregnancy and the postpartum period. Evidence has shown that the benefits of relying on a midwife for pregnancy and birth can include:.