OB or midwife: Who’s right for your birth partner?
Both OBs and midwives play vital roles in prenatal care and childbirth, each bringing unique strengths to the experience. Understanding the differences between these two types of caregivers allows mothers to make informed decisions that align with their individual needs and birth plans.
Obstetricians (OBs) are medical doctors who specialize in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They complete extensive education, including four years of medical school followed by a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. This rigorous training equips OBs to handle high-risk pregnancies, complex medical conditions, and emergency situations. They offer medical technology and procedures to ensure the health and safety of both mother and baby.
OBs are equipped to perform surgeries such as cesarean sections (C-sections) and are knowledgeable in managing complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and multiple births.
For mothers with preexisting health conditions or those who develop complications during pregnancy, and OB’s expertise is crucial.
Midwives focus on providing a more natural and holistic approach to childbirth. Midwifery care emphasizes minimal intervention and supports the natural birthing process. Alomere’s midwives are Certified Nurse Midwives and have received extensive training and accreditation from The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). Chillon McKibbin is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. Midwives emphasize education, emotional support, and individualized care plans.
Midwives tend to avoid medical interventions unless necessary, promoting natural pain management techniques such as breathing exercises, water births, and movement during labor. They can prescribe a full-spectrum of pain medication too, if desired.
At Alomere, midwives and OBs work side by side, providing a balanced care model that combines the midwife’s personalized, low-intervention approach with the OB’s medical expertise and resources—with access to our hospital’s surgical unit if any complications arise. This collaborative model offers expecting mothers the best of both worlds, ensuring comprehensive care throughout their pregnancy and delivery journey.
Alomere's Birth Place team: Leann Zimny, PA-C, Samantha Abel, CNM, Chillon McKibbin, CNM, IBCLC, Sarah Sprengeler, MD, Rebecka Docken, MD, and Demetra Heinrich, MD.
Are you an expecting mother? Click here to learn more about our Alomere’s birthing options.
