Nurse-Midwives and Obstetrician-Gynecologists
Many expectant mothers today, if asked about midwives, may envision antiquated childbirth. While midwives are becoming more well-known, they are still not mainstream. Although the major similarity between Obstetricians-Gynecologists (OB-GYN) and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) is the outcome of a healthy baby, CNMs and OB-GYN receive different education and provide different patient experiences and outcomes. For a normal, low-risk pregnancy, CNMs are the best choice for those who want a more natural and holistic childbirth.
The type and length of education varies between CNMs and OB-GYNs. There are multiple ways to become a CNM. Registered Nurses …show more content…
They are encouraged to labor standing, squatting, or even in a tub. Research has shown that interventions as simple as requiring laboring women to remain in bed can prolong labor and cause ineffective pushing, sometimes initiating the need for other interventions (Janse and Bowles). A delivery under the care of a CNM aims to be as natural as possible, without unnecessary interventions. CNMs are also more available and present during labor, supporting their patients physically and emotionally during childbirth. While women can still have an epidural while under the care of a CNM, CNMs will attempt to provide alternate pain relief methods for the best childbirth experience.
Prenatal care under an OB-GYN is like that of the CNM, however appointment length tends to be shorter in those who have normal pregnancies. Like CNM care, patients cycle through and meet the different OB-GYNs in the practice. It is important to note that OB-GYNs are equipped to properly manage patients who have high-risk pregnancies or who have complicated medical conditions such as diabetes. In most cases, if a patient developed a health complication, they would be referred to an obstetrician or there would be joint care of the