NNP vs PNP vs CNM

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Hi everyone!

I know this question is very broad but I'm currently looking into which AP I'd like to pursue. I really like babies and young children but there's something that really draws me to L&D that I feel like I would miss out on unless I went the CNM route. But do CNMs work directly with babies or only with the mothers? I'd love working with the mothers but I feel like i also need a little baby action in my day! Can anyone share their experiences with either of the three, and if you have any information to compare and contrast them share that as well?

Thanks! :inlove:

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Specializes in OB.

I will chime in as a CNM---some CNMs do some newborn care, mostly CNMs who practice out of hospital birth. For example, I'm currently working at a freestanding birth center. We do the initial full newborn exam 2 hours after birth, then do an additional visit at 24-48 hours of life where we do the hearing screening, metabolic blood screen, congenital heart defect screen, a jaundice check, and a weight check. Any issues that come up at that time are ours to deal with, in collaboration with whoever is going to be the baby's pediatrician. Once the baby visits the ped for the first time, usually at 5-7 days of life, they are no longer in our care. It is often the same situation for homebirth midwives. If you work in a hospital, generally speaking you are not doing any newborn care once that baby comes out. So in a nutshell, it depends on your practice type, but yes it's possible to care for both mom and baby. Obviously NNPs and PNPs would only be doing newborn care, not women's health. Hope that helps!

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Hi there! Can you give me some more information about working at a birth center? While I was initially set on a hospital, I'm realizing that a birthing center may be perfect for me as I am also interested in the neonatal care aspect that you've described in your post. What exactly is a birth center? Is it a large facility or more of a small clinic? Do the moms stay in the birth center for as long as they would in a hospital? I guess just in general, what differences (besides more neonate care) would you experience as a CNM working in a birth center vs a hospital? THANK YOU!!

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Sorry for so many questions but I have one more! According to the ANA, CNMs "Provide primary care to women, including gynecological exams, family planning advice, contraceptives" in addition to L&D/neonate care. Working at a birthing center, do you still do all of these tasks or are you more focused on the L&D aspect of the job? Thanks so much :)

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Specializes in OB.
Hi there! Can you give me some more information about working at a birth center? While I was initially set on a hospital, I'm realizing that a birthing center may be perfect for me as I am also interested in the neonatal care aspect that you've described in your post. What exactly is a birth center? Is it a large facility or more of a small clinic? Do the moms stay in the birth center for as long as they would in a hospital? I guess just in general, what differences (besides more neonate care) would you experience as a CNM working in a birth center vs a hospital? THANK YOU!!

Birth centers are small facilities with space for women to both receive prenatal care and give birth. It's meant to be as "homey" as possible, while at the same time stocked with all of the supplies for both normal and complicated maternal/newborn care. However there is no operating room, blood bank, anesthesia, or NICU, which is where it differs from hospital birth. Also, women are intermittently monitored with dopplers, as opposed to continuous electronic fetal monitoring, which is the norm for most women giving birth in the U.S. It is similar to having a home birth, just not at your home. Women stay for shorter periods after birth than in the hospital---usually 4-12 hours. Here is the website for the American Association of Birth Centers for more information: American Association of Birth Centers

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Specializes in OB.
Sorry for so many questions but I have one more! According to the ANA, CNMs "Provide primary care to women, including gynecological exams, family planning advice, contraceptives" in addition to L&D/neonate care. Working at a birthing center, do you still do all of these tasks or are you more focused on the L&D aspect of the job? Thanks so much :)

Yes, I provide all of that care in the birth center setting.

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