midwife vs. ob/gyn

Specialties CNM

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I noticed recently that some local hospitals are looking for CNMs, and I was wondering who tends to look for midwives vs. an ob/gyn? Why would someone choose one over the other? Anything you can tell me about being a CNM is helpful. Thanks!

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The American College of Nurse Midwifery's consumer page:

Welcome to myMidwife.org!

This site and ACNM.org should answer a lot of your questions.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

Mnay people want a CNM over a ob/gyn because they don't feel that they need to see a surgeon for their healthy, normal pregnancy. Midwives tend to be more patient, more open to natural remedies, more into allowing the woman to make decisions regarding her pregancy, labor and delivery, and most CNMs having worked as RNs tend to be stronger pt advocates.

I personally wouldn't see an OB unless I had a major medical problem.

Hope this helps a little.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I used a MW for all five of my pregnancies. KellNY's post basically covers the reasons why I chose a CNM rather than an OB. I will say though that there are significant differences among MW's depending on where/with whom they practice and whether you're having a hospital or home birth. Midwives who practice together with OB's or in hospitals can be very highly regulated and restricted in what they can do and what they will allow you to do.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I went to an OB/GYN c my first baby. I went from wanting nothing to having everything (membranes stripped, epidural, pit, IUPC, scalp electrode, the works). DS and I are both healthy but looking back (and with some OB/PP experience now) I think things could have gone differently. I love my OB/GYN MD -- he is a wonderful soul -- but I think next time around I will opt for a CNM that has just come to our area. Medical interventions are great when they are necessary (complete previa, for instance), but most of the time they are not necessary, I have learned.

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I agree with what the previous posters have mentioned. I used an OB for my first delivery and switched to a CNM with my second. I plan to use our CNM for all future babies~ it was just such a different experience. Most people I know use midwives for normal, healthy pregnancies.

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Thanks for all of this helpful info. I like the personal reasons even more than the websites, etc. I have already read those... I was hoping for more anecdotal stuff, which is great. I had 2 complicated pregnancies that undoubtedly necessitated an og/gyn, but the idea of having a CNM is very appealing. My ob/gyn was wonderful from the medical perspective, but I would have liked more warmth and conversation from him throughout my scary and unpredictable pregnancies.

Anyway, thanks for the stories. This helps me as I consider future career options.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

Okay, then. On a more personal note, I went to 2 weeks past my due date. While my midwives are bound by their ties to the hospital and it's doctors to induce at 42wks, I am positive I would have been induced earlier--ie 40+wks--prob with pit and ended up needing an epidural, and possibly a c/s.

I was able to go into labor with my son naturally at 42wks on the day-entered the hospital at 3+cm, not really feeling the Ctx, had my son 4 qand a half hours later--not so much as a tylenol for pain. No episiotomy, no blue faced pushing, no c/s, no pressure.

I was allowed to push when I felt the urge, allowed to eat my fruit salad for energy and drink my red raspberry tea. With almost any doctor, I would have been NPO except for ice chips.

My son came out when he was ready (and truth be told, I would have refused the induction had I gone past 42wks as long as placenta was acting as she should have been).

Unless I had some MAJOR health problems, I would not consider for a moment going to an ob for my pregnancy, labor, delivery or post partum period. My next child will be born at home, maybe with a midwife, maybe not.

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Specializes in Diabetes, Primary care.

My ob/gyn is a nice fellow, but I was induced at 38.5 weeks with zero signs of going into labor and ending up with 12 hours of oxytocin just because.... HE WAS GOING ON VACATION. Thank God I am the baby were healthy and ok, but the whole labor and delivery felt something like my body was violated. Another thing - I wanted to avoid epidural, but had to accept it because he forbade me to walk or get out of bed after my water broke, because... attention midwives... THE CORD MIGHT FALL OUT. Next time I am definitely going for a CNM.

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Specializes in OB.

As an OB nurse for 10 years, I have to put in my 2 cents! :twocents: Our community hospital brought in our first CNM 4 years ago and we now have 2. (We only have 2 OBGYN's) The difference between a midwife delivery and a doctor delivery can be amazing! (Depending of course on the specific midwife or doctor) With the midwife, the room is quiet, unless the mom would like some music, lights are dimmed, mom is encouraged to eat and drink whatever she wants and to be up or down or in any position that feels best for labor and delivery. It is sooo pleasant and beautiful! If she feels like pushing, fine;if not, fine. Then there's the MD. No eating. Only intermittent ambulation during labor. Time to push at 10 cm whether you have an urge or not! Count to 10, hold your breath and push!!! Lights on, stirrups up, sterile drapes out! Oh, and don't push too long or he'll get out the vacuum or the forceps! And, just to speed things along (he's already late for dinner, you know!), a nice BIG episiotomy!:eek:

Which would you choose??;)

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I have a couple of questions, ...:beer:

I am VERY interested in being a CNM because I have a big interest in alternative, holistic medicine. My two concerns are: 1. If you need an OB-GYN because there are birth complications, is there one around? 2. What are the liability issues? I mean, there are various complications that can occur in labor and delivery, and what happens if (god forbid) something goes wrong.

Do tell! :)

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