What Is a Midwife and How Can She Help Me?

Pregnancy is a life-changing event that requires a lot of decisions, like choosing a health care provider you trust enough to join you on your personal journey. A midwife is a health professional who specializes in women’s health, providing primary care services, prenatal care, and assisting with vaginal deliveries. 

At Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, in Grand Island and Hastings, Nebraska, our outstanding team of providers includes highly skilled, certified nurse midwives. They take a holistic approach to health and pregnancy care, encouraging a more natural approach.

The role of a midwife 

Midwives have been assisting women with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care for centuries. The modern midwife is a health professional who specializes in obstetrics and gynecological care. They manage women’s general health and wellness and uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries. 

Our midwives are nurses with advanced training in OB/GYN care. They work closely with our OB/GYN physicians to ensure women get all of the services they need to manage their health. 

How a midwife helps you

Every pregnancy and childbirth is unique and personal. Many pregnant women wish to have a more natural experience, and midwives provide this type of support. They monitor your health and wellness throughout your pregnancy and help you make decisions about labor and delivery.

If you wish to have a natural delivery, your midwife prepares you for labor, teaching you techniques that help you cope with the discomfort. They also assist and coach you throughout your labor and delivery, making sure that you’re comfortable and that things are progressing as expected.

Our midwives provide the medical care you need during pregnancy and childbirth. They also manage postpartum, perform well-woman exams, and provide birth control counseling and prescriptions for family planning.

Midwife vs. OB/GYN

Our midwives and OB/GYNs both specialize in women’s health, providing care throughout every stage of life. However, their approach to health, pregnancy, and childbirth differs.

Midwives view pregnancy as a natural process, while OB/GYNs approach pregnancy as a medical condition. These differing points of view influence how each health discipline manages a woman’s pregnancy. 

Midwives take a more holistic and supportive approach to pregnancy and delivery, aiming to provide a more relaxed experience. Midwives are also more open to helping women carry out a nontraditional birth plan.

OB/GYNs focus on the medical aspects of pregnancy, monitoring health and well-being and potential problems. Because OB/GYNS provide medical and surgical pregnancy care, they’re better at managing high-risk pregnancies. 

Whether you choose a midwife or an OB/GYN, you can expect compassionate and personalized care from our team at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC. Are you considering a midwife for your pregnancy? Contact us today to learn more about our midwife services.