Childbirth Choices :: Choosing a Care Provider
OB/GYNs | Family Practitioners | CNMs | CPMs | CenteringPregnancy
How do you choose a maternity care provider? Do you pick the one your sister used, or the one your best friend recommends? Maybe you’ve chosen the care provider down the street from your house or work, so you won’t have far to drive or take the bus. Many women do pick their maternity care providers this way, but we hope you’ll give this decision a bit more thought and research. After all, this person will be the first to ever touch your new baby, to help you usher your child into the world safely. His or her philosophy, training, and policies will have an enormous impact on your birth experience. Although many maternity care providers work in groups, meaning that you pick a group rather than an individual, each group typically has its own “flavor,” and tend to do things in a similar fashion. So interview several potential care providers before you choose!
Did you know that you don’t have to have an obstetrician as a maternity care provider? Most women in the United States do choose an “OB/GYN,” but that is not your only option. Instead of an obstetrician, you could also choose a family practice physician, a certified nurse midwife, or a certified professional midwife. So what should you choose? That depends on you, your current health, and what kind of birth experience you are hoping for.
Whichever type of care provider you pick, you can use the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services “10 Questions” to get valuable information on each provider’s philosophy and policies before you make a decision. Explore this section to learn about the choices available to you here in the Triangle.