The nine months of
pregnancy are filled with choices and decisions. These include decisions about
exercise, clothing, prenatal care providers and birth location. Pregnancy and
the childbirth are regarded by most women as one of their most memorable experiences.
Being well informed about your options can help provide the gratifying
experience that you and your family desire. Two important early decisions will
concern your choice of a health care provider and your birth location. The two
decisions are often closely tied with one another because most health care
providers already have a strong preference for a particular birth location.
Most women will be guided in their choices by their health histories, personal
preferences, financial ability, and suggestions by others.
Care Providers:
Obstetrician:
Obstetricians are
medical doctors who specialize in the management of pregnancy, labor and birth.
They also receive specialized education in the female reproductive system and
surgical care. The focus of much of their education has been on the detection and
management of obstetrical and gynecological problems. Many women who have had
complicated pregnancies in the past or who have certain medical conditions will
choose an obstetrician for their pregnancy care as their way of dealing with
potential problems. Obstetricians normally perform deliveries in a hospital.
Family Practitioners:
Family Practioners are
physicians who have completed schooling and training in various fields of
medicine that include obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, and internal medicine.
During their residency, they gain experience in treating the whole family.
Family practitioners normally handle low risk pregnancies, and most perform
deliveries in hospitals.
Midwives:
Midwives can have a
wide spectrum of training. Certified nurse-midwives have a nursing degree and
additional training in midwifery. Direct-entry midwives or certified
professional midwives have extensive training in midwifery even though they do
not have a nursing degree. Most midwives offer care that is flexible and
individualized with little medical intervention. Because of limited formal
training, they usually limit their care to low risk pregnancies. Many midwives
offer deliveries in homes, birthing centers, or hospitals.
Locations:
Hospitals:
If you have chosen an
obstetrician or family practitioner as your health care provider, you will most
likely be making plans for a hospital birth. The number of births attended by
midwives in hospital settings is increasing. Some families feel more
comfortable having access to technology and skilled professionals in case an
emergency arises. There may be more restrictions during labor and birth. Make
sure to tour your hospital before your birth and learn about all the guidelines
and policies regarding laboring techniques, routine interventions, use of
cameras or video, and newborn care.
Birthing Center:
The first free
standing birthing center opened in 1974 in an effort to give women a
more relaxed labor and birth experience. Midwives are often the only health
care providers available at free standing birthing centers. However, some
obstetricians are willing to do deliveries at birthing centers located inside
hospitals. Birthing centers usually have fewer restrictions and guidelines and
allow for more freedom in making decisions about labor. Birthing centers are
often recommended for pregnancies that are considered low risk and for women
who are seeking to have a birth with few interventions. If you have particular
preferences for your birth, be sure to contact a birth center representative
beforehand to discuss policies and guidelines.
Home Birth:
For most of recorded
history women have had their babies at home. Many women feel more comfortable
and relaxed when giving birth in a familiar environment. However, this choice
comes with extra responsibilities. For instance, families wanting to birth at
home need to be well educated about the risks and be open to the possible need
to transport the mother and or baby to a hospital in the event of an unexpected
complication. Midwives are the main health care providers for home births. Home
births are recommended for
women with low risk pregnancies. Many women who don’t want any interventions
and who want a very family-centered birth experience make the decision to have
a home birth.
Let Us know what Choice you made when delivering your baby and why?
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