I Want a Very Personal Experience During My Pregnancy: Should I Have a Midwife?

Pregnancy is a deeply personal experience, and for many expectant parents, feeling heard, supported, and empowered is as important as receiving excellent medical care. The right team can make all the difference in how confident and connected you feel throughout your pregnancy.

If you’re looking for a more personalized, relationship-centered approach, you may wonder whether a midwife is the right choice for you. Midwives are known for their hands-on, holistic style of care, but they aren't the best fit for every pregnancy.

At Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, our women’s health team includes OB/GYNs and certified nurse midwives (CNMs). We recognize that every pregnancy experience is unique, and we want to provide care that aligns with your medical needs, personal values, and birth preferences. 

So you can make an informed decision for your pregnancy journey, we’re using this blog to explain how midwifery works, what our midwives do, and how their approach differs from that of our OB/GYNs.

What is a midwife?

A midwife is a health care provider who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. In addition to prenatal care, midwives often provide comprehensive women’s health care, including well-woman exams and birth control.

Other services include:

• Preconception and pregnancy counseling
• Natural childbirth support
• Breastfeeding guidance
• Postpartum care
• Pap smears
• Family planning

Midwives typically take a supportive and holistic approach to pregnancy. Rather than focusing solely on medical milestones, they guide women through each stage of pregnancy with education, encouragement, and shared decision-making. 

At Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, our midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and certified nurse midwives (CNMs), meaning they have advanced training and expertise in women’s health and pregnancy care. They work closely with our OB/GYNs to ensure that every patient receives care tailored to their individual needs. 

Midwife care vs. OB/GYN care

Both midwives and OB/GYNs are highly trained providers who specialize in women’s health and pregnancy. However, their approach differs.

Midwives generally view pregnancy and childbirth as a natural life event. Their approach focuses on education, emotional support, and minimal medical interventions when it’s safe to do so. This makes midwife care especially appealing to women looking for a more natural, less clinical experience. 

As medical doctors, OB/GYNs approach pregnancy through a clinical lens that focuses on monitoring and managing potential complications. They’re also trained to perform medical procedures like epidurals, inductions, and cesarean deliveries (C-sections), which are essential for high-risk pregnancies or unexpected complications.

Should you have a midwife?

If your pregnancy is considered low risk and you’re hoping for a more natural, personalized childbirth experience, a midwife may make an excellent choice. If your pregnancy is high risk or complicated by pre-existing health conditions, you should seek care with an OB/GYN.

That said, pregnancy can change. A low-risk pregnancy can become high risk, which is why our team’s collaborative approach to care is ideal. Our providers work together to ensure continuity of care, so you’re always supported, even if your pregnancy requires more advanced medical attention.

Midwifery can offer the personal, empowering pregnancy experience many women want. To learn more about our approach to pregnancy and childbirth, call Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, in Hastings and Grand Island, Nebraska, to schedule a consultation, or use this link to request an appointment online.