Differences between Maternity Care Providers

What’s the best type of maternity care provider? This Childbirth Connection article reviews the differences among obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs), family physicians, and midwives.

Researchers found that when midwives provide the care, birthing experiences are better. That means more vaginal births after cesarean (VBACs) and more births without forceps. Birthing parents use less pain medication and less electronic fetal monitoring when under midwives' care. It also costs less to give birth with a midwife compared to with OB-GYNs or other physicians.

Family physicians and OB-GYNs differed little from one another on maternity care. However, birthing people with low risk and those in certain regions found family physicians more beneficial than OB-GYNs.

Overall, the best maternity experiences occur when we have supportive care providers, when we’re involved in the decision-making process, and when our providers exceed our expectations. When seeking a maternity care provider, we can consult with different providers to discuss our needs and preferences, our care team, and the birth setting. The article provides more detailed information concerning what to look for and questions that we can ask.

Maternity care providers have a broad range of practice styles. Some variation occurs from individual to individual. However, systematic reviews have identified overall differences between different types of maternity care providers – obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs), family physicians and midwives.

SOURCE: National Partnership for Women & Families: Childbirth Connection