Childbirth Choices :: Choosing a Care Provider
OB/GYNs | Family Practitioners | CNMs | CPMs | CenteringPregnancy
Obstetricians, or OB/GYNs, are physicians who have completed a specialized four-year residency program after medical school in “areas dealing with preconceptional health, pregnancy, labor and childbirth, postpartum care, genetics, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. Training in gynecology also covers women’s general health, including care of reproductive organs, breasts and sexual function” (American Board of Obsetricians and Gynecologists).
After completing this residency program, OB physicians can seek to become “board certified”, which means that they have passed a comprehensive written and oral exam showing that they are proficient in women’s health topics.
Obstetricians who are specialists in maternal-fetal health have completed an additional three years of training beyond their four-year residency and medical school They have also taken another written and oral exam to become “board certified” in maternal-fetal health. These physicians are experts in high-risk pregnancy, and are most qualified to take care of women experiencing high risk pregnancies or those who are themselves not in good health. This level of training is not necessary for the care of low risk, healthy women and babies, but may be needed in the event of a complication in a previously healthy pregnancy. In this case, other maternity care providers such as midwives or family practice physicians can collaborate with obstetricians to be sure that each mother receives the care she needs.
Obstetrics is also a surgical specialty, and OB/GYNs are qualified to perform cesareans. They typically have much higher rates of cesarean birth than other maternity care providers.
If you choose an obstetrician as your maternity care provider, you will probably see a team of doctors who work together to provide prenatal care and attend births. When you go into labor, whichever doctor is “on-call” will attend your birth.