What are some Care Provider options (OB, FP, CNM, DEM, Doula, Unassisted)?
• An obstetrician is a surgical birth specialist. This does not mean an obstetrician does only surgical births, it means that obstetrics is a surgical specialty in med school. OBs are able to conduct a variety of tests and perform a c-section if necessary. OBs mainly deliver babies in hospital, though some do birthing center births and a very few will do homebirths. Information about obstetrics can be found here http://www.acog.com. • A family practitioner is a family doctor who does births. FPs are qualified to conduct testing, and use any intervention except a c-section. If a c-section is required an obstetrician or general surgeon will be called in. FPs deliver in hospital settings, a few in birthing centers, and a few do homebirths (mainly in the UK). • A certified nurse-midwife is a midwife who has completed a nursing degree and a masters program in midwifery. CNMs are able to conduct all testing and perform any intervention short of a c-section. If a c-section is necessary an OB
