As soon as you realize you’re pregnant (or even before), you’ll want to start looking for a healthcare provider to help bring that gorgeous babe into the world. The type of medical practitioner you choose can vary, and a lot can go into weighing your decision beyond whether you want paid meds or not.
If you have an ongoing condition like high blood pressure, a history of seizures, heart disease, or diabetes, or if you had complications in your last pregnancy, you’ll be considered high risk. In this case, you’ll need to see an ob-gyn + possibly one who specializes in high-risk pregnancies.
If you’re looking for a more holistic vibe, you may want to choose a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), who helps you through birth but intervenes only when necessary. Births assisted by CNM’s have fewer interventions, like continuous electronic fetal monitoring, epidurals + episiotomies. Women who choose midwives tend to have a lower rate of C-sections, too.
Don’t stress it, though. Know that if you start out with a midwife and develop a problem down the road, or if you realize you want a more hands-on approach, you can always switch over to a traditional ob-gyn. You may also be able to have both types of professionals handle your care, or choose an OB who specializes in a more holistic point of view.
