Is midwifery right for you? Understanding your birth care options
Choosing your pregnancy care team early can shape your whole experience. At UI Health Care, you can explore midwifery, OBGYN, or family medicine provider options from the start, so your care aligns with your birth goals and keeps you and your baby safe.
When you’re deciding between midwifery, OBGYN, or family medicine pregnancy care, Bree Herring, CNM, ARNP, DNP, a certified nurse-midwife at UI Health Care, says it’s less about a written birth plan and more about whether your care team’s approach aligns with your goals from the start.
“I’ve told people for a really long time that the most important part of your birth plan is who you pick to help you have your baby and where you’re having your baby,” she says.
She explains that the later you get in pregnancy, the harder it is to change course.
“So picking a team that really lines up with what your goals are from the start is very important,” Herring says.
That early alignment helps build trust, especially if recommendations change later for safety reasons.
What midwifery care looks like at UI Health Care
Midwifery care is a way of delivering a pregnancy and birth care model that prioritizes time, education, and shared decision-making.
“The reason that a lot of people like midwifery providers is that we’re able to spend time in the clinic environment working on just what most low-risk people need, which is education and time,” Herring explains.
The actual medical components of an uncomplicated prenatal care visit are about 30 seconds, according to Herring.
“The crucial part is making sure people have the education and support that they need,” she says.
UI Health Care’s certified nurse-midwives were recognized by the American College of Nurse Midwives for meeting high national standards of care. In 2023, they achieved lower-than-average cesarean and preterm birth rates, along with strong early breastfeeding support.
National research has also shown that midwifery care for low-risk pregnancies is associated with lower rates of cesarean birth, fewer assisted deliveries, and reduced use of certain pain medications.
Midwives spend time helping you understand:
- What’s common at each stage of pregnancy
- What symptoms to expect next
- When to call, and when a symptom is likely normal
- What choices may come up later, before they feel urgent
Herring says their goal is to stay one step ahead of what patients may experience. That kind of education can reduce unnecessary stress (and middle-of-the-night panic).
“We want to save you that ER visit in the middle of the night if we can,” she says. “But also the stress and anxiety that comes with not knowing if something is normal or not.”
What birth care options look like at UI Health Care
At UI Health Care, our birthing experts designed pregnancy care to be flexible, so you don’t have to have everything figured out right away.
There are three main care paths:
You don’t need to know which one is right for you before your first visit. Additionally, if you are experiencing pregnancy complications, or have underlying health issues, you might be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
“Some people get worried that they need to know if they meet the risk criteria to see midwives,” Herring says. “But they don’t.”
Many people start care, ask questions, and explore their options as pregnancy progresses. If someone begins with midwifery care and later needs a different level of support, that transition happens within the same system.
Not sure if midwifery is right for you?
How midwifery and physicians work together
Some people wonder if choosing midwifery means giving up access to physicians or higher-level care. At UI Health Care, that’s not the case.
“Some people get worried, ‘What if I have an emergency during my labor and I’m being seen by a midwife?’” Herring says. “But there’s always a physician on call.”
Midwives and physicians work closely together:
- They are staffed at the same time
- Consultation is always nearby
- Care can shift smoothly if your needs change
This team-based approach means you’re supported throughout pregnancy and birth, even if the plan changes.
Common myths about midwifery
Many people come into pregnancy with ideas about midwives that aren’t quite accurate. Herring says a few misconceptions come up again and again.
Fact: Our midwives only support births in a UI Health Care hospital setting. This allows us to always be prepared for any unexpected challenges during birth.
Fact: Midwives support a wide range of birth preferences, from unmedicated labor to epidurals, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and other pain management options.
Fact: At UI Health Care, midwives work closely with OB physicians. There’s always a physician on call so care can shift quickly if your needs change.
Why asking questions early matters
While C-sections and inductions shouldn’t be the focus of your entire pregnancy, Herring says asking questions early can help you understand how a care team approaches decision-making.
“Sometimes asking questions like, ‘What are your C-section rates?’ can be helpful,” she says.
She’s clear that C-sections are sometimes essential and lifesaving.
“A C-section is not a character flaw. It’s not a moral failing,” Herring says. “C-sections are so critical sometimes.”
But overall rates can offer insight into how decisions are made during labor.
“If you choose a facility that has a 50% C-section rate, there’s a 50% chance that your care team is finding a reason that you need a C-section,” Herring explains.
Understanding those numbers helps you understand the environment you’re choosing, because the care practices at a hospital shape what’s most likely to happen there. Asking early gives you context and options, rather than surprises late in pregnancy.
Questions to ask when deciding if midwifery is right for you
If you’re unsure whether midwifery is the right fit, Herring suggests focusing less on outcomes and more on how care is delivered.
Helpful questions to ask early include:
- Who will I see during prenatal visits and labor?
- How much time is typically spent on education and questions?
- How are options explained when decisions come up?
- If my needs change, how does care transition work?
- How does the team support first-time parents?
For first-time parents, Herring says the goal isn’t to promise a specific outcome. It’s to help you feel informed and supported throughout the process.
“Labor is so unpredictable,” she says. “But I can guarantee you that we’re going to explain your options and make sure you understand what your choices are.”
That clarity and communication can make a meaningful difference in how people feel about their birth experience, regardless of how it unfolds.
It’s all about your birth goals
Ultimately, deciding whether midwifery is right for you comes down to your birth goals. Consider how much education, time, and partnership you want throughout pregnancy, and how supported you want to feel if plans change. Exploring your options early helps you move into birth feeling informed and supported. The midwives suggest taking the time to complete a birth plan so your goals are outlined and communicated before your baby’s birth.
