Maternity Support: What Providers Should You See During Pregnancy?

Bringing a new life into the world is a miraculous journey filled with anticipation, excitement and a touch of anxiety. Pregnancy, while beautiful, can also present an array of physical and emotional challenges.

“To navigate this transformative period, it's essential to have a solid support network in place,” said Waverly Lutz, C.N.M., a certified nurse midwife at Inspira Medical Group Gentle Beginnings. “From midwives and obstetricians to nurse practitioners and doulas, a variety of professionals can play a vital role in ensuring a healthy pregnancy.”
 
But with so many options, how do you decide on the right provider for you? Here’s what you need to know.

Types of Maternity Care Providers

A maternity care provider is a medical professional who provides care for a pregnant person for the duration of their pregnancy. This type of care is available from a number of different health providers, each with their own specific training and expertise.

Five main types of maternity care providers include:

Obstetrician Gynecologist

Obstetrician gynecologists, or OB/GYNs, are medical doctors specializing in reproductive health, including pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. These professionals are trained to manage high-risk pregnancies, medical complications and surgical interventions like Cesarean sections. Regular prenatal visits to an OB/GYN ensure that both you and your baby are safe and healthy throughout your pregnancy journey.

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)

Midwives have been a cornerstone of maternity care for centuries, focusing on providing holistic, personalized care to pregnant people. “Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses with advanced training in reproductive healthcare,” said Lutz. “They specialize in care before, during and after your pregnancy and are qualified to prescribe medication and evaluate the health and wellness of your pregnancy and baby.” Midwives specialize in the care and births of low-risk women and work to bring continuity from the care offered in the office to the birth space. Midwives offer a more hands-on approach to childbirth, with a strong emphasis on emotional support and education prenatally and during the birth process itself. Should you become high-risk during the course of your pregnancy, midwives would collaborate with a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist or OB-GYN. 

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners (NPs) or family nurse practitioners (FNPs) bring a comprehensive approach to maternity care. These advanced practice nurses can provide both primary and specialized care, including prenatal check-ups, family planning and gynecological care. NPs focus on building strong patient-provider relationships, ensuring pregnant people receive the guidance they need throughout their entire pregnancy journey. While NPs are trained to provide maternal care, they don’t deliver babies.

Perinatologist or maternal-fetal medicine specialist

A perinatologist, or maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, is an OB/GYN who specializes in high-risk pregnancies, where the pregnant person or baby has a health complication. “Your OB/GYN might refer you to a perinatologist if you have high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or a pre-existing health condition like asthma or a heart condition,” said Lutz. “Perinatologists can also screen for genetic risk factors, provide more specialized care for pregnant people over 35 and provide guidance for people who have experienced miscarriages.” 

Birthing coach

A birthing coach, or doula, is a non-medical professional trained to offer emotional and physical support to pregnant people and their families before, during and after childbirth. Birthing coaches provide reassurance, empower parents with knowledge and a clear understanding of what to expect and can facilitate open communication between the pregnant person and medical staff. While they cannot provide medical interventions, they can provide education on pain management options, breathing techniques and relaxation exercises. 

Choosing the Right Maternity Provider for You

When deciding which provider is the best fit for your situation, keep your family history, health and priorities in mind. “Having a clear picture of what you want out of your pregnancy and birth experience is important when it comes to choosing a provider who will support you throughout your journey,” said Lutz.
 
Inspira’s robust network of physicians, OB/GYN specialists and certified nurse midwives provide personalized maternity and reproductive care to patients of all ages. Request an appointment or learn more about our approach to pregnancy and childbirth here.
 
Inspira Health is a high reliability organization (HRO), which means safety is the top priority for patients and staff. To make an appointment, call 1-800-INSPIRA.