Midwife vs Doctor vs OBGYN: Choosing the Right Provider for Your Pregnancy Care
When you’re expecting, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right provider for your prenatal and delivery care. With options including midwives, obstetric-trained family doctors, and OB-GYNs, understanding the differences can help you choose the provider that best aligns with your values, preferences, and medical needs.
Midwife (CNM or CPM)
Midwives are trained professionals who support women through pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period, with a focus on natural, low-intervention care.
- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) have both nursing and midwifery training and typically work in hospitals or birthing centers.
- Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are trained to attend home births and usually do not practice in hospital settings.
Typically serves:
- Healthy, low-risk pregnancies
- Families desiring a low-intervention (natural or unmedicated) birth
- Patients interested in a holistic, relationship-centered approach
Obstetric-Trained Family Doctor (MD or DO)
Obstetric-trained family doctors are uniquely positioned to provide family-centered maternity care. These physicians complete medical school and a three-year residency with specialized training in obstetrics, pediatrics, primary care, and often an OB fellowship. Their broad expertise allows them to care for both mother and baby—while supporting the entire family throughout the pregnancy journey.
They combine medical expertise with emotional support, taking the time to understand each patient’s values, preferences, and concerns. These providers often build lasting relationships that continue long after birth, offering continuity of care through every life stage.
Typically serves:
- Healthy, low to moderate risk pregnancies as well as many complicated cases
- Patients with complex medical or social needs (in partnership with specialists as needed)
- Families seeking expert care combined with personal attention and emotional support
- Patients who want whole-family care, including siblings and newborns
What sets them apart:
- Ability to provide prenatal care, manage labor, and perform cesarean sections
- Trusted long-term relationships that extend beyond delivery
- Focus on whole-person care that respects physical, emotional, and family needs
- A consistent, supportive presence during one of life’s most personal experiences
OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist)
OB-GYNs are specialists in women’s reproductive health who manage high-risk pregnancies, perform surgeries like cesarean sections, and provide advanced gynecologic care. They complete four years of residency in obstetrics and gynecology after medical school.
While Gagon Family Medicine does not have OB-GYNs on staff, our obstetric-trained family doctors offer many of the same services. Our physicians have delivered thousands of babies, managed common complications, and are trained in surgical deliveries.
Typically serves:
- High-risk pregnancies
- Patients with complex medical conditions during pregnancy
- Individuals planning a surgical birth or needing specialized gynecologic treatment
Real-World Considerations
More families are turning to obstetrically trained family doctors for their rare ability to blend medical expertise with long-term, whole-person care.
- During pregnancy, they offer compassionate, evidence-based care with the training to manage emergencies, including cesarean sections.
- After birth, they continue to care for both mother and child, building trusted, ongoing relationships that support health and well-being for the entire family.
Why Many Families Choose Gagon Family Medicine
At Gagon Family Medicine, we understand that choosing a provider is deeply personal. Our obstetric-trained family doctors are uniquely qualified to provide:
- Prenatal care
- Labor and delivery support (including cesarean sections)
- Postpartum and newborn care
- Long-term primary care for the entire family
We combine clinical excellence with a warm, personalized approach. Whether you’re planning a natural birth, looking to avoid unnecessary interventions, or seeking long-term continuity with a trusted provider, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Our team brings decades of hands-on experience in maternity care, ensuring that your pregnancy journey is safe, supported, and centered around your values.
FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between a midwife and a family doctor?
A: A midwife focuses solely on pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care. A family doctor trained in obstetrics can care for both mother and baby—and continue serving your family well beyond the newborn stage.
Q: Can a family doctor deliver my baby?
A: Yes. At Gagon Family Medicine, our providers offer full-spectrum obstetric services, including low- or no-intervention deliveries and cesarean sections.
Q: Is a midwife a good option for a hospital birth?
A: Yes—Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) often work in hospitals. However, their ability to manage emergencies or provide newborn care beyond delivery is more limited compared to physicians.
Q: What if I’m not sure which provider is right for me?
A: We’re happy to talk through your health history, birth preferences, and goals to help you choose the provider that’s the best fit.
