Pregnancy and the birth of a child is a transformative experience for women, and it's one that’s filled with countless decisions. One of the first and most important decisions you need to make is choosing your health care team.
In the United States, most women choose an obstetrician — a medical doctor trained in pregnancy and childbirth. But more and more women are choosing midwives as their primary caregivers for the unique benefits they offer.
At ObGyne Birth Center for Natural Deliveries, our patients get the best of both. Obstetrician Bola Sogade, MD, leads a capable team of certified nurse midwives, and we work with you to create a personalized pregnancy care plan that fits your needs.
If you’re thinking of using a midwife for delivery, here are a few of the benefits you can expect.
First and foremost, midwifery emphasizes personalized care. Our midwives understand that every expectant mother has different needs and expectations for her birth experience, and we take the time to get to know each woman individually.
We foster a close relationship with you and strive to understand your needs, preferences, and concerns throughout pregnancy, delivery, and beyond. This approach allows us the opportunity to provide support that’s tailored to your specific circumstances.
Our midwives provide care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. In most cases, they’re also present for the birth itself. This continuity of care helps you build a strong relationship with your midwife and care team, providing a sense of comfort and trust during the labor and delivery.
Natural childbirth involves having your baby without medical intervention, like pain medication or surgery. A woman’s body is innately capable of giving birth, and midwives are trained to support this natural process.
We use a variety of techniques, such as breathwork, massage, hydrotherapy, and positioning, to help you cope with labor pain and to encourage a smoother birth experience.
During your pregnancy, we educate you about your birth options and offer support to help you make informed decisions about pain management during labor and delivery.
As certified nurse midwives, our team is trained to provide medical care. But the midwifery model promotes medical intervention only when necessary. As a result, midwives have a lower rate of intervention compared to traditional obstetrical care.
This means that women who choose a midwife are less likely to have a cesarean section, vacuum extraction, or forceps delivery. In fact, the rate of C-section delivery with a midwife is about 30% lower for first-time mothers and 40% lower for women who have previously given birth.
Most women have one follow-up appointment about six weeks after birth with traditional obstetric care. In contrast, midwives provide postpartum care for both the mother and the baby, checking in with them several times in the first few weeks after delivery.
During these postpartum visits, our midwives offer support and advice on breastfeeding, wound care, and other postpartum concerns.
Cost is just one aspect of the reality of having a baby, but it’s an important consideration nonetheless. Depending on your insurance, choosing a midwife for delivery may result in cost savings compared to traditional obstetrical care.
Midwifery care is often covered by insurance. And since midwives typically have lower rates of intervention and use fewer medical technologies, delivering at our birthing center may cost less than a hospital-based birth.
If you’re searching for prenatal care, choosing a midwife offers many benefits. Contact us in Forsyth, Georgia, today to meet with our certified nurse midwives and learn about your care options.
