So you’ve gotten a positive test result. What’s the first thing you think of? For many women, one of their first thoughts is about getting in to see a doctor. So, you run to the phone and try to make an appointment with an obstetrician. The interesting thing is, although you are eager to get some care, most doctor offices will probably hold off on seeing you until 10 weeks or so. At that time, your hormone levels will be consistent enough to get certain blood readings, and the baby’s heartbeat is more likely to be heard via doppler or ultrasound to confer a strong pregnancy.
Until very recently, hiring an obstetrician for prenatal care would have been the norm for most pregnant women that you know. Currently however, hiring a midwife is becoming more and more common among low-risk women, and there is a growing body of research to support why. There are two main types of midwives: the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), and the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM or lay-midwife).
The CNM:
People who hire a CNM usually plan to give birth in a hospital or birth center. CNMs have a nursing degree and took further certification to become midwives, and generally work under the direction of obstetricians out of a hospital. There are some in certain states, like New Mexico, that work out of free-standing clinics without being under the direction of a doctor. CNMs are generally known for their desire to offer pregnant women a chance at low-intervention pregnancies and childbirth. For those that desire the security of a hospital setting as well as a natural birth, a CNM can be a great choice in a healthcare provider. If you are interested in seeking hospital-based healthcare with a natural edge, ask your current doctor to recommend a CNM for you. Or, there may be practicing nurse-midwives at your obstetrician’s office already. They will determine if you are low-risk and qualify for their care.
The CPM:
According to the North American Registry of Midwives, a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is an independent practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the Midwives Model of Care. People who hire a CPM plan to give birth at home. They generally desire an intervention-free delivery that includes natural delivery in the comfort of a familiar environment. You can typically expect a homebirth midwife to believe in the sanctity of normal pregnancy and birth, and encourage a low level of interventions for both. They tend to be more personal with their clients than a doctor would be, often available at all hours for consultation. I have known many women to develop lasting bonds with their midwife. If you are interested in homebirth, you can find a midwife in your area by visiting this link, or from word-of-mouth. Many midwives now have personal web sites to help you learn more about them. Doing a “local search” with your search engine may also turn up some results in your area.
The evidence is pointing toward midwifery care and away from obstetrical care for low-risk pregnant women. Choosing a midwife may very well help to keep your pregnancy a healthy and happy one.
For more information on determining low-risk, see this related article:
Lets Talk About Early Prenatal Testing
For more info on choosing a homebirth midwife, go here:
Choosing a Home Birth Midwife