After choosing the place for your baby’s birth, your next important decision will be choosing the person who will care for you during the next nine months and attend the birth.
There are four main types of providers you can choose from: midwives, obstetricians, family physicians, and osteopaths.
Midwives: Throughout the history of the world, a midwife, whether formally or experientially educated, has been the most common type of birth attendant. In days past, a midwife was generally a member of the community who was considered to be a wise woman. Today, midwives attend about 80 percent of births worldwide. According to the National Center for Health Statistics ( www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/births.htm ), they attend about 8 percent of all births in the United States, and that number grows each year.
Several types of midwives are available. Some start out as nurses, and some receive their training through apprenticeships or various midwifery certification programs. Some consider their role as that of a spiritual aide, and some are well prepared to handle emergencies.
It’s important to understand the various terms used to describe midwives, so that you can be sure you are going to receive the kind of care that is right for you.
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