Pregnancy Specialist

Who Provides Care During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, an expectant mother may see a medical doctor, physician’s assistant, certified nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner on any one visit. In general, though, either doctors or midwives oversee a women’s prenatal care. They’re also the providers who deliver newborns. Doctors who specialize in prenatal care are known as obstetricians. Many are also highly trained in other aspects of women's care.

What Are the Differences Between an Obstetrician and a Midwife?

Obstetricians, also called OB/GYNS, and midwives have different training backgrounds, so they provide different kinds of care. As medical doctors, obstetricians are able to treat the most serious complications that can arise during pregnancy. If necessary, they can perform a cesarean section (C-section) or other surgery. To provide these treatments, however, doctors need a lot of resources. Therefore, they often only deliver newborns at highly specialized clinics or hospitals. While women with high-risk pregnancies may need the expertise of a medical doctor, midwives are qualified to provide care during low-risk pregnancies, which are most pregnancies. Additionally, midwives usually work closely with doctors, who can provide medical assistance at a hospital if a complication does arise during a low-risk pregnancy.

What Does Pregnancy Care Include?

The pregnancy care that obstetricians and midwives provide can be broken down into three phases. Prenatal care includes all the visits, exams, and testing that’s done between the time of conception and the time of delivery, which in a full-term pregnancy is about 280 days. During these visits, the baby’s growth and heart rate are monitored. Prenatal care is important in decreasing potential risks and ensuring a safe and healthy delivery. Delivery is the actual birthing process when the infant is born. Postpartum care is the care that’s provided for the mother in the days, weeks, and months following the birth.