Who To Choose: OBGYN vs MIDWIFE | What is a MIDWIFE? What is an OBGYN?

Who To Choose: OBGYN or Midwife
✅ FREE Mini Birth Class - bit.ly/3Fp4IPM
Whether you’re a first time mom or fifth time mom, choosing your care provider during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is so important! In this video, you get answers to What is an obgyn? What is a Midwife? OB vs Midwife - how do they compare? Is a midwife safe? And how your choices affect labor and delivery with a home birth, birth center, or hospital birth. If you’re scared about birth, getting your birth team ready in the early stages of pregnancy is one of the best ways to prep for labor and knowing if you’ll be under the maternity care of an obgyn or midwives is an important decision to make. In this video, we talk about the basics of what you’ll need to know before having a baby to choose a care provider so you feel confident and comfortable in your care as you’re preparing for birth during pregnancy.
____________________________________
FREE MINI ONLINE BIRTH CLASS: www.builttobirth.com/free-min...
PURCHASE THE BUILT TO BIRTH ONLINE COURSE: www.builttobirth.com
DOWNLOAD THE BUILT TO BIRTH GUIDED MEDITATIONS: www.builttobirth.com/meditate
____________________________________
SOME THINGS YOU WILL LOVE TO HAVE:
Purchasing through these links is a simple way to support me at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
START YOUR AMAZON BABY REGISTRY! - amzn.to/2GQmM9p
PREGNANCY MUST HAVES
• BIRTH BALL - amzn.to/2I4qX2O
• MEGAFOOD BABY AND ME PRENATAL - amzn.to/2IvYZff
• GINGER CHEWS FOR NAUSEA - amzn.to/2K4mXBG
All my PREGNANCY Must Haves - amzn.to/2Mym0DC
POSTPARTUM MUST HAVES
• NURSING PADS & GEL PADS - amzn.to/2I3zzGM
• TUCKS WICH HAZEL PADS - amzn.to/2EZR9cT
• NURSING BRAS - amzn.to/2EZatqO
All my POSTPARTUM Essentials - amzn.to/2WoDIcD
BABY FAVES
• HATCH BABY SOUND MACHINE - amzn.to/2MzIW5r
• DIAPER BACKPACK - amzn.to/2WoRNqn
• THE BEST LANOLIN (FOR DIAPER RASH, ECZEMA, DRY SKIN) - amzn.to/2WZRtm6
All my BABY FAVES - amzn.to/2WlZopL
BREASTFEEDING GO-TO's
• LEGENDAIRY MILK LACTATION SUPPLEMENTS - cutt.ly/xriJGVh
• LANOLIN - amzn.to/2l797mQ
• LACTATION BITES - amzn.to/2l509Gx
All my BREASTFEEDING Go-To's - amzn.to/2Jydz82
____________________________________
DISCLAIMER
All content and information in this video is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical, psychological or health advice of any kind and I do not warrant that the information presented herein is free of any errors or omissions. I am not providing medical, health care, nutrition therapy or coaching services to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any kind of physical ailment, mental or medical condition.
Although I strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the medical and health area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any medical or health related decisions. For your health related questions, please seek the advice of a licensed physician or any other qualified health care provider immediately.
____________________________________
I am a Lamaze certified Childbirth Educator and a DONA certified Birth Doula in the San Francisco Bay Area! For more information and resources, come find me at builttobirth.com
#BuiltToBirth

[@sarahalyssa692]

I will never in my life give birth in a hospital or have an OBGYN again. The most traumatic experience of my life almost 2 years ago and I’m still not over it. I switched to a midwife halfway through my pregnancy and thank God I did. My midwife was incredible and saved my life during my PPD.

[@elisamarodrigues6368]

Yeah I’m not doing that either

[@SJ-ru4ej]

Sorry to hear you went through that, but I'm glad it turned out better in the end. I'm 23 weeks and am in the process of making the decision to switch to a birthing center.

[@pebless931]

In my journey as a midwife student, it's incredibly touching to witness this recognition and appreciation for the work of midwives. It warms my heart to see this acknowledgment.🥺💖

[@breannaworthen7994]

Absolutely nothing against hospitals and OBs, but I chose a midwife and it was the best decision I could have made. My doula, my husband and I labored at home for the first 14 hours and it was so relaxing to be in my space, we went to the midwives office and had the baby within 2 hours and were headed back home 4 hours later to rest. It’s not for everyone but so many of my family members hated my decision for choosing a midwife but now I would not want to go to the hospital unless it was an emergency. Education is huge as not many people know about midwives and are scared of natural birth.

[@danamorrison9665]

I am definitely looking into getting a midwife. I just found out that I am 6 weeks 3 days & I been watching a lot of water births which that’s what I am strongly considering. . my boyfriend is so nervous about everything & it’s just making me feel very annoyed because I am trying to consider him in the best way especially since he couldn’t come into the room with me to confirm my positive results. But I am strongly looking into midwife.

[@breannaworthen7994]

@@danamorrison9665 congrats! Good for you for doing your research, most people think midwives are just strange. I felt like more than just a number with my experience and loved that I was in my own home for 90% of it. I told a friend of mine whose husband is nervous about a midwife that they are questioning it because they want you and the baby safe, but once my husband visited the office and asked questions, he walked out feeling confident about it all! Good luck!!

[@danamorrison9665]

@@breannaworthen7994 thank you! that makes me feel better. did you still go to the ob/gyn for checkups or was it strictly just with the midwife? I scheduled a appointment with the midwife for all questions from friends & family that will like to join for November after my ob/gyn appointment so I’m super excited!

[@breannaworthen3059]

@@danamorrison9665 I went to the midwife for everything. They had an ultrasound tech come into the office on certain days and all the midwives know how to check the heartbeat, measure the belly, feel the baby, and such; so we went to the office for everything. The calming and relaxing environment was so nice to have, plus not once did they tell me what to do and when to push. My body did everything on it's own and it was nice that they were aware that my body knew what to do and just assisted rather than told me what to do. However, if you are not comfortable with using a midwife, then don't feel pressured to; I simply enjoy encouraging women to do the research and education on midwives and then make the best choice for them after having that knowledge. I am the only one in my family to have chosen a midwife, and I will do so again but my sisters did not and their births worked for them great.

[@danamorrison9665]

@@breannaworthen3059 great thank you! I do have one more question did you have to take any kind of epidural while delivering or it was completely natural? I am the first to have in my family with the fairly new generation so it’s a new new experience for us all.

[@salinanyxx]

I had a CNM in a hospital but baby’s heart rate was dropping so she brought in a doctor to perform a vacuum assisted delivery. The CNM stayed with me until after delivery, even though she was no longer needed. It was a scary birth experience for me but I loved and appreciated the support I was given from everyone involved!

[@marinwhiting]

I had a similar experience except the OB did an emergency c section but I was so glad my midwife was there to support me, she held me as I got my spinal in the OR while my husband couldn’t be in there! Although she was no longer my main care provider at that point I am so thankful I had a midwife who I had such a close bond with

[@kristendieffenbacher3720]

@Tony Camaj certified nurse midwife

[@palomareyes1951]

My obgyn has been amazing! She’s very informative and supports all my decisions. She is supportive and always seems sincere. I was seen by a midwife that works with my dr. and honestly my ob was more caring than the midwife. It depends more on the person not necessarily their title.

[@annib3360]

It is so interesting how birthcare providers differ in the USA from germany! Here, a midwife is always the one delivering your baby by law and Obgyns are called at the last minute to join (in hospitals). So if you have a c-section also a midwife is involved in the process and stays with mom and baby in the OR :) And out of hospital births are highly regulated so the riscs are minimalized. As a teaching midwife who worked in all settings I highly recommend having an emotional support at birth - here mostly miwives, but more and more doulas. Thank you for yor great videos!

[@maycee4888]

I remember my former OB frowning upon my asking a lot of questions based on things i read and see online and even talked me against browsing too much internet. Lol i guess patients remaining uninformed is what keeps their pockets full so yeah

[@CherrellMishelle]

I feel like midwives are more receptive to birth preferences and educate more on childbirth than OBs.

[@laurenbailey2376]

Agreed

[@smleach5400]

This is so true. I had an OBGYN. And he’s great, but he definitely made me feel a bit powerless to the birth. It was a vbac, so I was afraid to get a midwife. But he often made me feel like the likelihood of success was low. I had a successful vbac, but it was all from my mental support, and stubbornness, more than anything from him. It also helped that I took your course and had the tools I needed to know what was happening to me, what I was allowed (such as control over my birth process) and what to ask for. I could easily know when doctor was trying to push me in a direction he preferred and I could disagree with him if necessary (within reason)

[@vickimcburney8977]

MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A DOCTOR ON CALL!! When my grandson was delivered by a Nurse Midwife in a hospital, in the US, we had a deadly complication, placental abruption. There was no doctor available for emergency and we nearly list them both! It ended with an emergency cesarean under lidocaine and concious sedation during active labor with no doctor or anesthesiologist present. We could hear her screaming! Life flight was called. Mom needed 3 surgeries and 8 pints of blood, baby was in the NICU for 2 weeks. Just make sure that there is a doctor on call, available for emergency.

[@altchang]

I like how your video is informative and not obviously biased towards one or the other.

[@nathaliatally6952]

Been considering switching to midwives since my OB's response to my birth preferences we're not great & I didn't feel supported at all. Tried guilting me into choosing what she wanted 🙄🙄

[@KelWynn]

Highly recommend you switch. I had an OB and she was very dismissive of my severe nausea and just didn’t seem to care. Switched to a midwife and she has been wonderful. The midwife has been so supportive and caring and compassionate.

[@nathaliatally6952]

@@KelWynn SAME HERE! I was so severely sick and ended up in the ER and her response was "well it's not the end of the world to throw up" like wtf. Definitely think I'm going to. We matter also & our experience!!

[@KelWynn]

@@nathaliatally6952 did you have HG? That is what I ended up having. I’m 20 weeks now and it’s better but I’m still dealing with nausea and I’m really weak. The OB saw I lost 10 pounds (about 2 pounds a week) and said it was normal to vomit in the first trimester and I’d be fine. I told her how often I was vomiting, how I couldn’t work, and was pretty much bed ridden. I was puking in her office and in tears. My husband was with me and was advocating for me but she wouldn’t listen. Switched to the midwife and by then I had lost 15 pounds. Immediately put me on meds to help and taught my husband and I says to deal with the nausea, when to go to the ER, and foods try and hugged me telling me she was sorry I was dealing with this. Her nurse called a few days later to check on me as well. Every time I see my midwife I feel cared for and listened to.

[@nathaliatally6952]

@@KelWynn Wow! It just seems to be a common theme between OB's with these type of ridiculous reactions. I'm so glad you were able to find a great midwife that made a true difference. I wouldn't go as far to say I had HG but almost! I also was sick and on zofran up until maybe around 23 weeks so I've been better since then with only throwing up here & there once so I dropped the zofran finally. Just seems to be a much more well rounded approach with midwives since it's not just a physical experience but also a mental & emotional one to be pregnant and OB's only seem to focus on the physical and are a bit more "cutthroat". You convinced me to finally make an appt with my local midwives 🙌

[@midnightbirdsong4435]

My OB was AWFUL, I didn’t feel like she cared about me at all, I loveeee my midwife ❤️

[@chelsyrey3742]

Due to my new insurance I had to stop going to my original obgyn where I loved and were with for six years. As it being my first pregnancy and I had no idea where to go I was worried about time. In a bind to find a new ob office and after being rejected countless times, I went to the first one that accepted my insurance and that was the worst thing I did. Those people were unprofessional and made me feel like me and my baby were not important. Luckily I found my midwives center and I couldn’t have been more relieved and thrilled. For my next births I will always go to them and my midwife specifically was the best and I truly couldn’t have had my amazing birth experience without her!

[@pregnancyandbirth]

Thank you for this great recap. it is nice that you talk from experience.

[@erinreynoso6808]

Thanks for this video! It helps define differences well. One comment from a midwife of 20 years, different states call midwife credentials different things. In Texas, we are called Licensed Midwife. There are still 2 credential pathways in Texas- CNM and LM. Funny story, when I first got my credential it was called "documentation". In the legislative arguments that changed it to Licensure, they asserted that Certified would imply too much credit. But Documented midwife was pretty dumb for 4 years of study and 60+ births and 100+ prenatal contact appointments. 😂

[@chandaelizabeth3046]

I am on pregnancy number 5 and have finally learned my lesson about OBs and a hospital setting. My first birth was fine, normal. My second birth resulted in an emergency c section because my son's heart rate was decelerating. I stayed with the same practice for baby number 3 and though my OB, who I knew very well at that point, said he supported a VBAC, he actually didn't and when I was I labor and ready to push made up some bull 💩 about my son "turning around" in the birth canal and claiming I wouldn't be able to deliver him like that and would need a c section. I KNOW it was a lie and it resulted in me hemorrhaging and almost bleeding out and needing blood. Thank God the nurse that checked on me noticed I wasn't OK because I could feel nothing from the spinal. Fast forward a few years to a new state and new OB practice for baby number 4. I was 36 and very healthy, but they treated me as though I was 80 years old and warned me several times that the baby could have down syndrome, though I hadn't even had genetic testing yet. The MD seemed shocked that there was nothing "wrong" with my baby and warned me the test could be 😒 absolutely ridiculous. I did end up having gestational diabetes, which I refused meds for and controlled VERY well with my diet, actually gained no weight at all in my 3rd trimester due to my balanced eating. I was very mad when they insisted I deliver him at 39 weeks, as my pregnancies historically last 41 weeks + because they were worried my baby would ve "too big". They told me I could be induced but would also schedule me for a c section "just in case" 😒 I was not even given a chance to labor and was cut open despite my arguing. I was never listened to and none of the 4 providers a saw gave a crap about me or how I felt. It was an awful experience. I was discharged a day early from the hospital despite severe pain and being almost unable to walk. My baby's nlood sugar was checked onky twice and the second time it was so low they had to give him sweeties to bring it up and I wasnt producing milk because my body wasnt ready and we had tongive him donor milk. He was severely jaundice and the pediatrician later said with the levels he had he should have been under lights. Absolutely terrible.I hated it and will never go back. Now I am pregnant with our 5th baby and looking for a midwife for care because I am done with lying doctors that just want to bill my insurance with the most expensive code they can muster. I don't want to be lining their pockets again

[@breamaie8063]

I am so sorry this happened t you, what the OB did to you was assault and abuse and shouldn't happen to anyone

[@chandaelizabeth3046]

@@breamaie8063 agree!

[@amberslahlize7961]

Yikes! This experience makes me want nothing to do with an OB now, maybe for just ultra sounds, but go no where near me during delivery! I'm pregnant with my first child, and I'm very interested in a widwife, and doing a home birth. I wish you luck on your fifth, and that you have a much better experience this time.

[@user-ey6gq1do4i]

@@amberslahlize7961hi! Did you eventually have your baby with the midwife? I’m also pregnant with the first baby and considering natural birth. Your experience could be valuable. Thanks in advance!

[@amberslahlize7961]

@@user-ey6gq1do4i Well, my opinion is anecdote, but my experience with the midwife and doula was as good as it could have possibly been, for someone who had no experience with labor and delivery. Nothing could have prepared me for that, but the professionals did as best they could to prepare me for it, and I'm grateful for that. When you have a crowd of just women, I believe stuff just flows naturally. I wouldn't have considered going to a hospital at all during my labor, I was happy to stay where I was, and endure the struggle until my child was finally born. Congratulations btw, there is no greater joy than when you first become a mother, nothing so precious as your own child in your arms. If it weren't for unconditional love, we wouldn't be very good mothers. But it's an experience that will grow you a lot as a person, as you both struggle together in learning (and re-learning) how to live in this world.

[@lisajanene]

I had no problems with my OBGYN or hospital birth, he was very respectful and kind, loved the nurses! But I also was very uneducated and I think it could have been better had I known more about what to expect. I just didn’t know what I was missing out on so I thought all was well. I think I’ll do an at home birth next time.

[@lucylutz801]

I adore my OB, but I feel like she is unusual as far as OB's go in how much she obviously cares for what's best for mom and baby. I love your point that you had a positive OB experience in part because you took your education into your own hands. I can see where that was valuable for me with having an OB. People like you on KZbin make educating oneself easier now that ever before. I can see the value of a midwife, but since I have such a wonderfully caring and experienced OB and education resources, I will stick with my OB!:)

[@GlitterSkies]

My midwife gave a list of nearby hospitals that are mama, baby and family friendly just in case we went into early labor or had an emergency. So we feel comfortable knowing we having positive options on both ends. I recommend asking your midwife for friendly, low invasive hospitals in the area in case the original birth plan doesn’t happen.

[@olgamartinezlopez5902]

My OB is great, she helped me through infertility, I had surgery with her, and I feel she knows me, probably better than most of her other patients because of my history. But now that everything is going great with my pregnancy and I'm low risk, I'm considering switching to the midwife, in the same hospital, because of midwives' focus on well being and not just the medical side. I will still 100% have a hospital birth.

[@akwalaura8475]

Thanks for this U make me love what I practice. Am a Certified Nurse Midwife and proud. Yes come for us and be sure we'll be with you throughout your prego journey

[@ssonkogarvey]

God bless you as especially with black women who experience neglect during their pregnancy.

[@PaolaSanchez-hc5my]

Thank you so much for this info. Are there any books that you recommend for someone who doesn't know absolutely anything about pregnancy and the birthing process? Thank you uou.

[@the_review_lady_channel]

Great topic!!

[@Jen18lol]

Yup OB with this first pregnancy, you bet ya ass I’m doing midwife with 2nd long can get them in hospital and is insurance covered! Pretty over waiting for my doctor to come in my room just to hear her enter room next to me when I’d think she come into my room. I’m barely getting her for 15 mins when it’s mine turn if even am. I don’t care feeling rushed with my questions each time. I want more personal interactions and less seemingly not needed medical procedures and less amount of appointments with my pregnancy being healthy. Will say OB can be helpful when it’s the first with me not going through any of this before but I’m just good going less thorough route next time, won’t be needed.

[@christinaaustin6570]

Thank you for such a great video. Is it possible to have both of them?

[@jeaninejordaan4057]

Unfortunately many medical aids only cover Obstetricians fully and not midwives. So if we want to have a midwife it would cost us a fortune extra.

[@e1honor7doctorw]

I think I'll start looking into a midwife. My OBGYN isn't bad, but I can tell I'm just another number to him and it seems like he races through my appointments. I'm also not 100% comfortable with having a male doctor for my lady parts.

[@gabeandsammydaddy4602]

I've had 4 hospital births. I had nurses and midwife with me entire time.

[@helloitshalle3761]

Soo helpful! I am thinking of switching to a midwife in a hospital birth (hoping for a natural birth). My current doctor barely talks to me at appointments

[@elona.147]

I am on the same boat... 20 weeks and he has not even mentioned my birth plan..

[@parinazaz4044]

You can have a midwife at a hospital? Can you explain how that works plz?

[@amityblight4955]

Can you have both midwife and ob?

[@vickimcburney8977]

My babies were born in the 80s, in the hospital. It was truly traumatic. Forced to lie still, on my back, laboring for hours, pushing for hours, surrounded by machines. It literally caused PTSD. HOWEVER, they were high risk, and they survived. That was the ultimate goal. I would have loved a beautiful, peaceful home birth, but in reality i wasnt built for it. For 3 generations, the babies in my family were emergency cesareans. My doctor decided that i would labor and deliver to prove a point. I had long labors, 4th degree episotomies, and forcep deliveries. It was grisly. A home birth would not have worked out. They should have been cesarean. The last two were cesarean and it was much better.

[@austinmerrifield9836]

My husband and I will be TTC at the beginning of 2022 and are planning to use our local midwife. She offers birth at her birth center or home birth and I would love to have a home birth ♥

[@saurabhdaroch9567]

Can you share the number of your local midwife to me . Which province are you from .

[@austinmerrifield9836]

@@saurabhdaroch9567 Sorry I'm from California 😬

[@henryannmarie022]

When I find out I got pregnant I had a midwife, then change state and have a ob now. The worst, been with her for four months and she never refilled any of my meds. If I call n talk to her I get charge n she told me I can call her anytime. She just measured me up and kick me out and I’m a high risk.

[@skyek.1787]

When do you recommend starting the built to birth course?

[@allison_malo]

If someone has fibroids would you recommend an OBGYN over a midwife?

[@angelicamolavin3546]

Not same here in the Philippines

[@brendinapurilimaku1275]

Wow.... I'm early. I would love a midwife for a home birth.

[@maggiematthews3517]

Almost all midwives here in Australia work in hospitals. Of course there are community midwives too who provide pre and post natal care as well as take care of home deliveries, but the most usual procedure is to have your baby in hospital where the resident midwives will be looking after you. I don't like this sense of "us and them" and making women have to choose between one or the other. It's almost as if they're trying to make midwives somehow seem a "lesser" option. In Australia you will be looked after in hospital by the midwives and you have the added advantage that doctors, specialists and operating theatres are right there should they be needed.

[@liza-marie89]

Yeah.... Still confused. I ran into some issues- the medical insurance I have doesn't cover anything- we didn't know this. We applied for a loan, but the whole $6000 won't be given so that leaves a midwife. I had a general anesthesia c section with my first baby due to issues and the public hospitals in South Africa is just scary as hell.

[@jaelmarajh5145]

Cm work in hospitals in 13 states and expanding

[@drrd4127]

Strange, in other countries the mid wife does the delivery unless there are complications.

[@karendinkel9040]

If you use a midwife does that mean ultrasounds aren’t really done/available to you?

[@SimplySami13]

do midwife’s take insurance? i’m struggling to find anyone near me and i have no idea how the process works. i really want a natural birth and someone who encourages and stands for what i want who would encourage me and care

[@xwrtk]

Yes. Most midwives work in an office a doctor/doctors present. Not counting the hospital only midwives and yes, the hospital takes insurance. Just search the midwives practices to see if they take your particular insurance.

[@daviddelgado2124]

Do you find that a midwife who under/with an OBGYN can handle c sections equally well? I align more with the midwife philosophy, but it’s likely that my partner may need assistance as she is very petite.

[@whatchyagonnado]

Small size is not a good predictor of whether or not a woman can have a vaginal birth because of how much the body adapts during pregnancy and the birth process. If she doesn't have any medical history indicating pelvic deformities or other health issues, odds are high that she can deliver vaginally without any problems.

[@skullgarden2417]

You’d be surprised. I’m petit and had a natural birth with no problems.

[@nasriincaafinasriincaafi6948]

Why is it that someone who studied midwifery does not specifically in gynecological diseases ? 😌 if you Has any knowledge please Answer

[@orynfolkor4042]

Med student here. I agree at times we throw pills/surgeries at things when it isn't absolutely necessary. However, there's also a huge reason that so many women and infants used to die during childbirth, and it's because we didn't have doctors to be there to do those life-saving surgeries. Just be careful out there y'all. Home births seem a little risky to me personally. But I guess if your midwife is actually good and you can easily be transported to a hospital, that might be a safe option. Having said that, from a patient perspective (even me speaking here as a medical student)...... how can I tell which midwives will step me up appropriately and which ones will be too prideful to ask for help? Just food for thought. I don't think it should be a "Midwife instead of OB" decision, I'd encourage all women to have an OB even if you decide for the midwife to be there for the actual birthing process.

[@LCSDarkAngel2006]

I have an obgyn. I had a wonderful first pregnancy and L&D experience! She was not working when I came in to welcome my first son, so I had a different doctor deliver. I actually had a wonderful L&D experience thanks to you. I watched a lot of your videos leading up to that day which helped me mentally prepare! I am expecting again and I chose the same obgyn I had throughout my first pregnancy. She’s informative and I just like her positive vibes.