A part of being a good consumer of medical care is knowing your options in birth attendants.  Some of the choices of caregivers are dependant upon the location you choose to give birth in.  Let’s go over the basics of who’s who within the birthing world and the pros and cons of having them attend your natural birth.

Obstetrician (aka Captain of the Guards*)

A person having a M.D. or D.O. degree who has completed at least 4 years of specialty training in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.  They must be licensed as a physician and may be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. 

Pros:

• medical background
• usually affiliated with and has access to a hospital
• experienced
• specialized in medicine related to woman’s health, pregnancy and birth
• trained for emergencies and complications. 

Cons:

• typically not present throughout all of your labor
• obligated to follow protocol
• sometimes decisions are based on bottom line or personal schedule
• some will only deliver at a hospital

Family Practitioner (aka Drum-tummied Snumm*)

A person having a M.D. or D.O. degree who cares for the medical needs of the whole family.  Training includes obstetrics, pediatrics and adult medicine but there is no specialization.  They must be licensed as a physician and may be board certified in family medicine.  Family doctors do regular vaginal deliveries and some, with additional training, do operative vaginal deliveries.  Very rarely do family practitioners perform cesarean section deliveries.  They generally refer mothers with anticipated complications to obstetricians.  A family doctor can take care of the baby after birth and give regular medical care to all family members.

Pros:

• all in one service (ob, pediatrician)
• possible lifelong caregiver
• knows family philosophy and beliefs

Cons:

• typically not present throughout all of your labor
• does not handle complications

Certified Nurse-Midwife (aka Star-Belly Sneetch*)

A person with a degree in nursing and experience as a labor and delivery nurse as well as hands-on training in midwifery.  They must be licensed as a nurse and be certified as a nurse-midwife (ACNM) in the state they practice.  They must practice in conjunction with a physician in case of complications.

Pros:

• extensive training for the care of healthy, low-risk women
• care for mother throughout the course of normal pregnancy and delivery
• can provide basic gynecological care
• oriented towards natural childbirth
• will stay with you throughout your entire labor
• do not administer pain relief medications
• can deliver in hospitals, birthing centers and at your home

Cons:

• not trained for complications or emergency care (although they are trained to recognize signs)
• may not be covered by insurance

Lay Midwife (aka Lolla-Lee-Lou*)

A person experienced with childbirth and care of pregnant women but are not certified or regulated by the government in most states.

Pros:

• experienced
• will stay with you throughout your entire labor

Cons:

• not monitored
• no requirement in specific training
• no test of competency
• cannot deliver at most birth centers and hospitals due to no credentials
• not covered by insurance

Doula (aka Fizza-ma-wizza-ma-dill*)

Per Webster’s Dictionary, a doula is “a woman experienced in childbirth who provides advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth”.  The word means female helper or maidservant.  May be certified (DONA).

Pros:

• an extra support person for the woman and her partner
• will stay with you throughout you entire labor
• support beyond birth
• trained in emotional and physical support
• studies show doula presence lowers cesarean section rate and epidural usage 

Cons:

• does not provide medical care
• does not deliver babies
• may not be covered by insurance

Obstetrical Nurse (aka Chief-in-charge-of-fish*)

A registered nurse who has completed school, passed state board exams to be licensed and specialized in labor and delivery.

Pros:

• experienced
• provides nursing and medical care during labor
• may function as additional coach
• offers breastfeeding support
• has “seen it all”  

Cons:

• may have multiple patients
• will not be able to stay at your side
• some support natural birth, some are more used to epidurals

Natural Childbirth Educator (aka Hopp-Soup-Snoop Group*)

A person trained to teach an expectant mother (as well as her partner and sometimes other children or birth attendees) all aspects of normal labor and childbirth.  This can include nutrition, exercise, pain relief methods, breastfeeding, postpartum care, newborn care, complications, medical consumerism and communication.  Natural childbirth educators provide the tools for parents to make informed decisions about their desired birth and help prepare the family for a drug-free, safe, positive and joyous birth day. 

Pros:

• supporter of unmedicated birth
• experienced
• can act as a doula
• offers advice
• good resources
• trained to recognize signs of labor
• helps to ease discomfort
• knowledgeable in pain relief methods, various birthing positions, prenatal/postnatal and newborn care and breastfeeding.
• may make home visits
• are affordable

Cons:

• makes no medical decisions
• does not provide medical care

No matter what birth professional(s) you choose to assist in your birth, their number one job is to act as your advocate and on behalf of your well-being.  So take the time and put in the research to determine if the person you’ve chosen is right for you.  If you feel any twinge of doubt or discomfort with your professional’s principles, then question it.  If there is no resolution to your reasonable expectations and standards, seek care elsewhere – it is your right and duty as a parent.

*All “also known as” names were borrowed from numerous Dr. Seuss children’s books.  They were chosen strictly for their creative sounding Seussian names and are not related to the character’s personality from the story whatsoever.  Nor were the chosen names meant to offend or sway anyone to one particular childbirth caregiver.  Additionally, Hoozadoula was a creation of this blogger and will not be in any future Dr. Seuss books to the gratitude of children everywhere.