OB-GYN and certified midwife: side by side
This overview compares OB-GYNs with certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs). Other midwifery credentials exist, and licensing and individual scope vary by state and practice.
| Topic | OB-GYN | CNM or CM |
|---|---|---|
| Training | A physician trained in obstetric and gynecologic care. | Graduate-level midwifery education and national certification; CNMs also hold a nursing license. |
| Prenatal care | Provides pregnancy and gynecologic care within their training and practice. | Provides pregnancy and related care within their education, license and scope. |
| Birth settings | Ask which hospitals or other settings the individual practice serves. | Ask which hospitals, accredited birth centers or other settings the individual practice serves. |
| If care needs change | May consult a specialist or coordinate additional medical or surgical care as needed. | May consult an OB-GYN or arrange transfer when needed, depending on the team and setting. |
| Questions to ask | Who attends births? How do you reach the team after hours? What is covered by your exact insurance plan? | |
Neither column determines which clinician is right for you. Ask a licensed care team about your own health and preferences. Sources: ACOG prenatal care and the ACOG and ACNM joint statement.
What an OB-GYN does
An obstetrician-gynecologist is a physician trained in obstetric and gynecologic care. Ask the individual practice what prenatal, birth and surgical services it offers, where its clinicians attend births and who covers after hours.
- Some people see an OB-GYN throughout pregnancy; others receive care from a team.
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are OB-GYNs with additional expertise in high-risk pregnancies.
What a midwife does
Midwives provide prenatal and birth-related care within their education, credentials and local scope of practice. Certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives complete accredited graduate-level midwifery education and pass a national certification examination.
- Midwifery credentials and state licensing rules differ; ask about the specific clinician's license and certification.
- Ask which services, birth settings and consultation arrangements are available in that practice.
Teams can work together
OB-GYNs and certified nurse-midwives or certified midwives may work together. ACOG and the American College of Nurse-Midwives describe care across settings as depending on communication and collaboration.
- Ask who you will see for routine visits and who may attend the birth.
- Ask what would prompt consultation with a physician or a transfer to another setting.
Choose for your own circumstances
There is no tool that can decide your ideal care team from a checklist. Talk with licensed clinicians about your health, preferences, insurance, travel and the services available where you live.
- Ask about after-hours contact, continuity, accessibility, language and costs.
- If your needs change during pregnancy, ask how your plan may change with them.
