What is a midwife?

Question

Sorry if that’s a dumb question lol. I’m newly(ish) pregnant and I see everyone talk about their midwives. Now is it someone who actually delivers your baby? Do you still go to a hospital and have the same typical routine with an ob? What about appointments... do you see them instead of an ob?

Answer

Yes they deliver babies, but not c-sections. Some deliver at hospitals, others at birthing centers. Yes they see their patients for all the regular appointment just like an OB would.

Answer

If you do decide to go the route of a midwife, be sure that you look for a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)! This verifies that they have undergone the proper training and certification.

Answer

Here an ob is in an office and delivers only at hospital, a midwife does home visits throughout pregnancy and can deliver at birth centres, hospitals and at home. Midwifes are free obs are not

Answer

My last pregnancy and this current pregnancy, two different women’s groups, ive only had an OBGYN as an option. A midwife was never discussed with me as an option/service. I guess some practices have them and some dont.

Answer

It depends. Some OB offices have midwives. And basically all they are is uncertified doctors. If you’re having a hospital birth, whatever doctor is At the hospital will deliver you, whether they’re you’re OB or another OB on staff. Midwives cannot legally do deliveries in a hospital. 
Some people have midwives and the midwife delivers the baby during a home birth. 
These are things you should be asking your provider about.

Answer

They look after the woman and baby during pregnancy, at appointments, help deliver babies, and care for the women and babies for the 6 wks after birth ( among other things )

Answer

My midwife is a homebirth midwife and owns her own practice but has all the licenses required to attend births In hospital and birth centers. I see her on the same schedule as an OB, she prescribe meds, offers all the same tests and owns her own ultrasound machine.

Answer

It’s funny with my first I picked a midwife and had no idea tell I got to my apt. She asked me “do you know the difference between a midwife and a doctor?” I was so confused by her question but still said no. She said they can do everything the same except if
You have a complication during birth or require a c section a doctor will accompany her but she will still be there. You do all your normal apt with the midwife, she can prescribe anything you need and if at any point a doctor is required she will tell you so. I needed a c section so she asked if I had a doctor in mine or wanted to use the on call, I used the on call. She came to the c section and still helped deliver my baby, I did all my follow ups with her and she wrote all my doctors notes. I prefer a midwife, way more personable.

Answer

Yes you deliver at the hospital, yes I see a midwife at every appointment instead of a dr. Unless it’s a required dr visit, at the office I go to your very first OB appointment & your 20 week anatomy scan I was required to see and actual dr but my midwife was also there.. my midwife delivered my first baby & she will be delivering my next in March 🙂

What is a midwife?

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