Finding a healthcare provider during pregnancy that you trust and feel comfortable with is important, and luckily there are many midwives in Philadelphia that can help you along the way. Pregnancy is an incredibly special but also potentially challenging time in your life. Throughout the 9 months of growing a child, labor and delivery, and the weeks and months following, it’s definitely a period where you want to be putting your health front and center.
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What is a midwife?
If you’ve come to this post and are wondering what is a midwife and how are they different from an OB/GYN, here is a brief explainer. A midwife is a healthcare provider who deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum health, and potentially other routine reproductive care needs. They tend to be more holistic in their approach to patient care and may deliver in a hospital, birthing center, or in your home.
In Pennsylvania, a midwife is required to be a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), which means they have completed nursing school, have a graduate degree in midwifery, and are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
Unlike an OB/GYN, midwives have not completed medical school, but this doesn’t mean that they are any less qualified to care for you. They will still provide routine prenatal care, order bloodwork and ultrasounds, attend to births, and perform postpartum checks. Midwives, however, are not trained in surgery and cannot perform a C-section if needed.
Is a midwife right for me?
Choosing between OB/GYNs and midwives in Philadelphia is a completely personal choice! A lot of times, finding the right provider is about personality. However, if you are hoping for a certain type of care and delivery, here are some reasons you might consider a midwife:
- You have a low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancy. If you have a more complicated or higher risk pregnancy, you should see an OB/GYN.
- You want a more relaxed, holistic approach to care. The education and training that midwives receive position them to view pregnancy andchildbirth in a more natural way, and they tend to favor a more relaxed birthing approach.
- You are hoping for an unmedicated birth. Midwives are trained in alternative birthing styles and can help with relaxation and pain coping techniques during labor. However, delivering with a midwife does not mean unmedicated is your only option. If you deliver in a hospital, you can also receive medication for pain relief such as an epidural.
- You would like to deliver at home or in a birthing center. OB/GYNs typically deliver exclusively in a hospital setting, but midwives may deliver in other settings such as at home or at a birthing center, in addition to a hospital.
What to Ask During Your Search for Midwives in Philadelphia
Make sure your midwife is the right fit for you! Here are just a few of the questions you can ask during an initial appointment:
- What are your qualifications and experience?
- Do you accept insurance?
- What is your philosophy toward prenatal care and birth?
- What is included in your services?
- What prenatal tests and procedures do you suggest?
- Do you work solo or in a team? Do you have a back-up if you are not available during my labor?
- What is your experience with emergencies and when/where do you transfer care?
- How do you handle complications during pregnancy?
- What postpartum care services do you provide?
Midwives in Philadelphia
It’s perfectly acceptable to shop around for providers early on in your pregnancy! You may want to visit a traditional OB/GYN practice and also a midwife practice. Or, you can find a practice that has both types of providers on staff. Here are a few options for where you can see midwives in Philadelphia:
Philadelphia Midwife Collective
Want to read more? Here are some other posts on my blog you may enjoy!
Maternity Clothes in Philadelphia: Tips for Searching and 5 Great Places to Shop
Prenatal Massage in Philadelphia: The 5 Best Spots for Some Pre-Baby Pampering
Baby Shower Venues in Philadelphia: 5 Top Places for Your Special Event
Awarded “Best Main Line Maternity Photographer” & “Best Main Line Newborn Photographer” by Main Line Parent
Veronika Paluch is an award-winning and highly sought after maternity, newborn, baby, and family photographer offering luxury, organic fine art portraits and an impeccable client experience. She specializes in documenting authentic connections and simple moments of children & families and the quiet beauty of motherhood. Stripping away all of the extras – the costumes, the props, the rigid posing – leaves room for her to capture classic, timeless images that showcase love & family connection.
Veronika serves clients in her beautiful natural light studio, as well as on location throughout the Greater Philadelphia area including the Main Line, Wayne, Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Devon, Malvern, Paoli, Exton, West Chester, Swarthmore, Media, South Jersey, and Northern Delaware.
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