One thing you should know about pregnancy and childbirth is that they are normal life processes and not a disease. They are, however ,the most delicate stages in the lives of the mother and the unborn baby as most maternal and infant deaths do occur during this period. It is therefore, important to prioritize finding the right maternity care once you discover you are pregnant to ensure your well-being as well as that of your unborn baby. Depending on your needs and preferences and also your health condition, you can either opt for a midwife, general practitioner, an obstetrician or a combination of all three to help you through your pregnancy journey. Before settling for one, it is advisable to consult several healthcare professionals as well as your family about your options and what you expect from different types of maternity care services available. A good maternity care provider will ensure that you have safe and satisfying birth experience by providing you individualized care that prioritizes your health needs and those of your baby, abundant support, comfort and also information as well as an environment and treatments that support or enhance the natural process of pregnancy and childbirth. However, with a wide range of maternity care providers in the industry, finding one that will effectively cater to your needs and preferences may be quite daunting. In this regard, you may need to follow some guidelines as will be discussed below to make an informed choice.
Your health condition is one crucial aspect you should look at before settling on a maternity care provider. Not all women experience the same pregnancy journey as some do enter the journey healthy with no major health complications while the reverse is true for others. Those with no major health problems have a full range of maternity care providers and birth settings to choose from such as midwives and obstetrician-gynecologists while those with serious health conditions have limited options. It is therefore important to understand your health condition before settling on a maternity care provider to avoid jeopardizing your health and that of your unborn baby. To establish this, you may need to consult your doctor as he or she will give you recommendations on the maternity care provider and birth setting that will best work for you.
When choosing a maternity care provider, you should also consider the aspect of certification. Just like any other medical practitioner, midwives and OB/GYNs are also required to have valid certifications from relevant medical regulatory bodies. You should, therefore, ensure that the maternity care provider of your choice has a team of certified midwives to ensure that you experience a smooth pregnancy and birthing process. Board certification is proof that the midwives have undergone intensive training in midwifery and are therefore in a better position to handle any pregnancy complication that may arise. Other than prenatal care, and care during labor and childbirth, a good maternity care provider will also provide follow up care once the baby is born, fertility support, miscarriage management, birth control counseling to mention just a few.