Childbirth

Birthing Choices - Care Providers

When it comes to pregnancy, it is all about choices, from choosing the right moment to conceive to select the childbirth method you want, or your doctor recommends, but at this point is where you stop for a moment to think it twice. Probably you have chosen the shoes to wear or the fitness routine for your pregnancy but sometimes the health care provider is not included in your plans.

Most pregnant women visit their family doctor as the natural choice to attend their pregnancy. However, it is important to know the functions of the different care providers choosing the right one to assist with the birth your baby. If you are well informed about the qualifications of your current physician and the options to choose a specialist, you will feel more confident ensuring a gratifying pregnancy experience.

Early in pregnancy, and even before conceiving, make the decision on who will provide your care may result in a determining factor for both, the health of the mother and the baby. An increasing number of women study their choices to find a health care provider based on their own preferences, health history, and finances and well informed opinions, although learning more about care provider's qualifications before making their choice.

The family practitioner is the immediate care provider you may think of for attention. A family doctor has completed schooling and training in various fields of medicine including pediatrics, obstetrics, surgery, and internal medicine, gaining experience in treating the whole family during his/her residency. This type of physician can handle non-risk pregnancies and deliveries in hospital settings, providing care for all members of a family disregarding their age.

An obstetrician or gynecologist is a practitioner who has completed schooling and training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, the specialized field of women's reproductive health. This physician has the skills and knowledge to deal with any type of complication that may arise during your pregnancy and childbirth, doing deliveries in a hospital setting.

Midwives were for long time the only care providers that a pregnant woman had, most commonly in rural areas. Today, most of them have a complete spectrum of training, including certifications as Nurse-Midwives with nursing training in addition to training in midwifery, or as Professional Midwives, with training in midwifery but not a nursing degree, also known as Direct Entry Midwives.

A midwife offers flexible and individualized care with just a little medical intervention, most often for non-risk pregnancies. However, only midwives can offer deliveries in homes, birthing centers, hospitals and other settings, like giving birth in a natural setting.