Navigating Your Birth and Who to Have as Your Care Provider
Choosing the right care for your pregnancy and birth is one of the most personal and hardest decisions you’ll make as an expectant parent. You have two main paths to consider: midwifery care or OB/GYN care.
Either choice comes with its own approach and benefits. Your choice can significantly shape your pregnancy, labour, and birth experience. Let’s have a look into what each pregnancy care option feels like on a more personal level.
Midwifery Care: A Personalized Journey
Imagine a care where you feel like you’re part of a supportive family rather than just a patient. That’s often but not always the experience with midwifery care. It all boils down to the vibe check and how well you click with your midwifery team.
A Close-Knit Relationship
With midwifery care, you’ll likely build a strong bond with your midwife… but let’s be real, the bond is more like a deep love for your midwife and the team. From your first appointment to the moment you hold your baby, your midwife is there for you every step of the way. It’s a relationship built on trust, respect, and open communication.
A Holistic Approach
Midwives often take a more holistic view of your pregnancy, focusing not just on the medical aspects but also on your emotional and personal needs. They aim to make your birth experience as natural and empowering as possible, supporting your choices and preferences.
Continuity of Care
You’ll usually see the same midwife or a small team of midwives throughout your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period. Most midwives are happy to have you email if you have questions or need extra support with feeding or general questions about yourself or baby. This continuity can make a huge difference in how comfortable and supported you feel.
Flexible Birth Settings
Depending on your preferences and health, midwifery care can offer options like home births or a birthing center, in addition to hospitals. This flexibility can be a big plus if you’re looking for a more personalized birth space.
OB/GYN Care: Expert Medical Support
Now, let’s consider OB/GYN care, where you get a different kind of support and expertise. They’re surgically trained and can care for higher risk patients, including performing C-sections when necessary.
Medical Expertise
OB/GYNs are medical doctors trained to handle a wide range of pregnancy scenarios, from the most routine to the more complex. If you have any medical conditions or if things don’t go as planned, you’ll be in very capable hands.
Hospital-Based Care
If you’re someone who prefers having all the medical technology and support at your fingertips, this can be reassuring, to have a team that are experts in supporting you through this journey.
Team Approach
In a hospital setting, they are part of a larger team that includes nurses, specialists, and potentially other healthcare providers. This can be especially comforting if you value having multiple professionals involved in your care.
Focus on Safety and Expertise
OB/GYN care often focuses on managing risks and providing specialized medical care, which can be critical if you have a higher-risk pregnancy or want the reassurance of having experts on hand.
Some OB/GYNs can provide care similar to what a midwife would provide: they see families for longer appointments and conduct more frequent postpartum visits, making the care feel more close-knit… and this brings so much warmth to this doula’s heart. ❤️
Making a Choice: What Feels Right for You?
Deciding between midwifery care and OB/GYN care comes down to what feels right for you and your baby, and availability of midwives within your area. Here are a few personal reflections that might help you choose:
Your Comfort Level: Think about what makes you feel more at ease. Do you prefer a close, personal relationship with your caregiver? Or the extensive resources of a hospital setting
Your Birth Vision: Consider how you imagine your birth experience. Close your eyes, what does your birth squad look like? Are you leaning towards a natural birth in a more intimate setting? Or do you want the reassurance of a hospital with all its medical support?
Your Health Needs: Reflect on any medical needs or conditions that might influence your decision. Sometimes, the choice is clear based on what’s best for you and your baby’s health.
No matter what you decide, whether it’s midwifery care or OB/GYN care, the most important thing is finding a care model that aligns with your values, preferences, and needs. Both options truly aim to provide high-quality care and support, ensuring that you and your baby have a positive and healthy start.
Make sure to take your time, gather the information (evidence-based information if possible!) that feels right for you, and make the choice that helps you feel the most supported and excited about your journey to becoming parents.