Obstetricians attend more than 90% of births in the United States. It’s the accepted standard of care, but did you know that choosing a midwife could give you and your baby a more personal birth experience?
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are highly trained medical professionals. They specialize in prenatal care, guide women through labor and delivery, and they’re there to support new moms once their baby is born.
The midwifery team at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta works alongside our OB/GYNs, and we’re proud to offer comprehensive midwife care for expecting mothers. Midwives are an underutilized resource, and it’s time to find out more about the benefits of choosing a midwife for your pregnancy.
Prenatal care is essential during pregnancy. Regular prenatal appointments track your baby’s development, monitor your health, and help you prepare for birth. Both obstetricians and CNMs are qualified to provide prenatal care.
When you have a midwife, you get comprehensive prenatal care with a personal touch. You’re not just another patient, you’re an individual with unique needs, questions, and goals for your family.
Our midwives take the time to get to know you and your partner. Throughout your pregnancy, we help you develop your birth plan. This includes considerations like where you want to give birth and whether you want to have a natural birth experience.
Your midwife is with you when you go into labor and stays with you through delivery. While doctors may not be present for the entirety of labor, your midwife stays by your side.
They guide you in listening to your body and suggest positions to aid delivery and relieve discomfort. Your CNM can prescribe labor-inducing medications or epidurals as needed, but they don’t rely on these medical interventions as often as doctors.
Women who have midwives often need fewer interventions during labor and delivery, and that includes a lower risk of needing a cesarean section (C-section). Having a midwife may be a good choice if you want to have a natural, drug-free birth.
Your midwife works with you to ensure you and your baby are healthy throughout the process. If you end up needing an emergency C-section or other intervention, your midwife refers you to the doctor on call.
Since OB-GYN Associates of Marietta has both CNMs and doctors on staff, you have a seamless transition of care.
Many new moms have just one postpartum checkup around six weeks after giving birth. But pregnancy, labor, delivery, and learning to care for a newborn bring a lot of changes in a short time.
Midwives prioritize your physical and mental health each step along the way. Following your baby’s birth, your CNM continues to check in with you. We offer breastfeeding and lactation support, along with suggestions for healthy living as you recover from birth.
For women with low-risk pregnancies, having a midwife offers many benefits over traditional obstetric care. If you’re curious about your options, schedule a consultation with our team. Contact our Marietta or Woodstock, Georgia, offices online or call today for an appointment.
