what is the dif between a doctor and a midwife?

Question

just wondering if one is better and how differnt are they??

can they do ultrasounds and bloodwork???

Answer 1

Main difference between a Doctor and a Midwife as explained to me by our doctor is that midwife's are trained in everything normal about your pregnancy, and a doctor is trained in anything not normal. My wife delivered our son 3 1/2 months ago and we had a midwife through out the whole pregnancy, they did the ultrasounds, and all the prenatal and postpardom check ups. If you're are planning on going the all natural route, meaning no drugs and not a planned C-section then a midwife is a great way to go. For both my wife and I it was a great experience and I attribute a lot of it to the fact that the midwife and support nurse were so awesome!!

Answer 2

I had a midwife with my son 5 years ago...she just happened to be on shift that night when I went into labor. She belonged to the practice that I was going to....which had OB/GYNs that included one midwife. It was a wonderful experience! I would recommend it highly if you could make the choice.

Reason being....the midwife stayed with me in the birthing room....talked with my entire family and was with me through numerous contractions. Her bedside manner was phenomenal. My delivery was just the same....she controlled the situation and massaged the vaginal opening between contractions to stretch and relax the muscles. I am a very tiny woman and delivered an average-size boy....with ZERO tears or rips! It was an overall relaxed and positive atmosphere!

On the other hand, I have heard doctors come in and out of the room only at the time they are needed. Their bedside manner is different than that of a midwife. With a doctor, I heard the nurses do most of the coaching and preparation.

This is just my experience,....other posters may have different views and stories. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Midwives have what they call the Midwifery Model of Care:

"The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.

The Midwives Model of Care includes:

Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle

Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support

Minimizing technological interventions

Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section."

NOW- what kind of midwife can attend pregnant women depends on what state you live in and it's laws.

An obstetrician is trained in pregnancy and birth and reproductive disorders. What you need to note is that they are a type of surgeon.


Personally, I've had a hospital birth that was managed by an OB and it was a very medical event. I have since had two babies at home attended by a midwife and it was a very lovely part of our lives... a wonderful day that was treated with awe, and honor and my body was respected and cared for gently.

Midwives generally give more personal care and they are trained to teach pregnancy and birth as a normal stage of life, NOT a condition. That's the kind of care I want. :)

Answer 4

An MD has undergone years of training and is the specialist in their area of study. They have been trained in handling normal cases to managing very complicated cases.A midwife does not have the training to handle complications and hence must rely on the doctor to pick up the pieces if things go wrong. Granted pregnancy is a normal state, with a majority being routine the chances for complications are always there--either for the mother or unborn baby. A midwife also has to have the knowledge of when intervention by a Dr is necessary. Any delay can have catastrophic effects. WHy would you want to risk your life and your baby's in the hands of someone who is not the best in their field if there is no reason to? Be safe than sorry, Go to an MD

Answer 5

Contrary to the last poster you WILL know because that is in their title. By law they have to tell you

Example

I'm Mrs. Sarah Conner Nurse Midwife OR
I'm Mrs. Sarah Conner MD

I used a nurse midwife and she can do everything the actual doctor can except cut you open. I had to have a c-section and she couldn't cut me open, the Dr. at her facility had to be called but she helped delivery my baby and she sutured me up.

The first incision is the only difference! She is skilled in everything else. I actually enjoyed mine, my sisters Doc on the other hand...not so much!

I would suggest that if you know for a fact you want a C-Section which is perfectly your choice, then you would want to stick with an actual doctor because they are with you through your whole pregnancy. My c section was unexpected but "Tonya" was awesome!

Answer 6

A doctor has a medical degree and if he is a specialist he is probably an obstetrician. A midwife is not a doctor. She is trained to deliver babies and to recognize problems in the birthing process. If there is a problem she will get a doctor who knows how to handle the problem.

Answer 7

a doctor is more hard 2 see bout a pregnancy problem because the deal with more than pregnancy but where as a midwife the focus on pregnancy but if there is something really wrong they will send u 2 a doctor

Answer 8

you want no which is which unless they tell you