OB, Midwife, birth coach, doula?

Question

This is my second pregnancy because #1 didn’t hang on past gestation week 6 😞, so I never really got far enough to figure out the difference between an OB, midwife, birth coach, or doula, and what the benefits of them are.
What are your experiences with any?
Recommendations?
Love it/hate it?
tia beauties! ☺️

Answer

OBs are medical doctors and would be able to help if there is an emergency so I stick to them 😊 that’s just me. I know a lot of people like the others as well. I personally have had wonderful experiences with my OB.

Answer

Totally depends on your pregnancy and what you want.  If you are healthy and low risk, a certified nurse midwife can do just about everything an OB can do, except perform a c section.  Their model of care if often more human focused and you can expect more personal attention and feeling like they hear you and care about you.  A doula is a phenomenal addition to a birth team, but they do not handle any part of the medical aspect.  A doula is like a sister, best friend, and mom all rolled into one expert labor coach.  I had the same doula with my first 2 babies and can’t wait to have her for my 3rd!

Answer

OB - Medical doctor who can see you throughout your pregnancy, and deliver your baby vaginally or via cesarean section. Baby is born in a hospital setting.
Midwife- Can be a certified professional midwife, or a certified nurse midwife. Either way, they see you throughout your pregnancy and can deliver your baby vaginally but not my cesarean, if it were necessary. Baby can be born in a hospital setting, birthing center, or your home as most midwives specialize in more natural birthing methods. The relationship a mother has with a midwife tends to be more intimate than that of an OB.
Birth coach/doula- A trained labor coach who assists you during labor and delivery. Provides you with continuous emotional support, as well as assistance with other non-medical aspects of your care. Doulas charge several hundred to a thousand dollars for their services, which are seldom covered by health insurance. They do not partake in birthing the child, but mostly just support the mother before, during, and after birth. This relationship is even more intimate than the mother’s relationship with a midwife. A doula’s services are combined with those of an OB and/or midwife. 
I have only had an OB for both pregnancies due to being high risk and needing to be seen more often, delivering in a hospital, and needing cesareans both times. However, I would like to think I would choose a midwife if I had a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy.

Answer

I had an OB with my first and a midwife with my second. I found no difference between them, they were all attentive to me during pregnancy and labor, and performed the same tests and procedures. Never bothered with a doula, I generally hate other people talking to me or touching me during labor so probably wouldn’t be worth the money for me.

Answer

I had a midwife birth and a doula present. A doula is someone who supports you during labor; they can provide comfort measures, advocate for you, give you encouraging words, etc. She also came to our house for the first 6 hours I was in labor, which was really helpful.

Answer

I know several people who swear by their doula and/or midwife. Personally, I’m sticking with my OB. I’ve studied pregnancy and labor in college and it gives me piece of mind seeing a medical professional.

Answer

TBH Im not totally sure, but at my doctors office, I see midwives and OB's. I like the combination they offer great support! I've had friends that rave about doula's and say that they're basically literally a call away and will be advocate on your behalf during labor, as well as like...be your own personal cheerleader lol

OB, Midwife, birth coach, doula?

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