Choosing a Caregiver for Pregnancy, Labor, & Birth: Part 4

There are several kinds of health care professionals who can provide prenatal care, attend births, and deliver babies.

Finding a Caregiver

Check what caregivers and birthplaces are covered by your insurance. Think about what kind of care you wish to receive during labor and birth, and which caregiver and birthplace is most likely to provide that.

To find a physician: Ask your current doctor for referrals; ask for referrals from your chosen hospital. Go to www.acog.org, click on ìfind a physician.î Most hospitals also have physician listings on their websites. Schedule an initial consultation with the physician you are considering; they might charge for this.

To find a midwife:

For CNMs: www.midwife.org/find/

For more info on Washinton CNMs: www.midwivesofwa.org for

For directory of Washington state licensed midwives: www.washingtonmidwives.org

For other ways to find CPM: http://www.maternitywise.org/mw/topics/caregiver/resources.html

You can also ask birth centers for midwife referrals. Most midwives will offer an initial interview free of charge.

Doula listings: www.dona.org

 

 

Article Sources: Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley, and Keppler, 2001. Websites for: American College of Nurse-Midwives www.acnm.org, Midwives of North America www.mana.org, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, www.acog.org. CPM intervention stats from Johnson, BMJ 2005. 

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For more information on pregnancy:

See our books: Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Newborn or The Simple Guide to Having a Baby >>