Locations:
Search IconSearch

Ob/Gyn or Midwife: Understanding the Differences

Ob/Gyns are trained physicians who can care for more complex medical needs than midwives, but which you choose depends on your health and comfort

Pregnant person in medical office with healthcare provider

Maybe you’re due for your annual well-woman exam. Or you’re pregnant and need to get your prenatal appointments on the calendar. Or perhaps you have questions about your breast cancer risk.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Who do you talk to? An Ob/Gyn or a midwife? Does it matter? What’s the difference anyway?

When it comes to your gynecological care, you have choices. And the right provider for you is a matter of your health needs and your comfort.

We talked with Ob/Gyn Natalie Adsuar, MD, about the similarities and differences between obstetricians, gynecologists and midwives — so you can make an informed decision about your care.

The differences between Ob/Gyns and midwives

The most immediate and easiest way to differentiate between Ob/Gyns and midwives is that Ob/Gyns are trained as doctors and surgeons. Midwives aren’t.

  • Midwives are healthcare providers who cover a range of gynecological and pregnancy care. Their experience and education may vary.
  • Obstetricians are physicians who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Gynecologists are physicians who care for women’s health overall, including things like gynecological surgery.

In the United States, obstetric and gynecological medicine is a combined medical program. Meaning, obstetricians are trained in gynecology, and gynecologists are trained in obstetrics. But their practice focus and subsequent training may vary. Many of these doctors, especially those who practice both, use the designation of Ob/Gyn.

Advertisement

Here’s a quick peek at the differences between Ob/Gyns and midwives.

Schooling
Ob/Gyn
Physician.
Midwife
Varies from self-taught to master’s-level degrees and other certifications.
Pregnancy care
Ob/Gyn
All pregnancies, including high-risk care and Cesarean deliveries.
Midwife
Low-risk pregnancies and vaginal deliveries.
Non-pregnancy care
Ob/Gyn
All, including surgery and complex medical needs.
Midwife
Routine care for generally healthy people.

Let’s take a deeper look.

What midwives can do

Midwives aren’t medical doctors. Though some may pursue a nursing or other doctorate in addition to their midwifery education, that isn’t the norm.

Midwifery training can vary, depending on where they practice and the standards in their state.

  • Certified nurse midwives have undergraduate degrees in nursing and a graduate degree in midwifery. They can practice in healthcare offices and hospitals in all 50 U.S. states.
  • Certified midwives have graduate degrees in midwifery but undergraduate training in other fields. They can only practice in certain states.
  • Certified professional midwives may not have undergraduate or graduate degrees in the field but have completed other courses or certification programs. They can practice in a few U.S. states. They mostly work in birth centers or homes.
  • Lay midwives haven’t completed formal training and almost exclusively practice in homes.

Certified nurse midwives routinely work alongside Ob/Gyns in women’s health offices and hospitals.

“Certified nurse midwives are an option for regular gynecological care and pregnancy care for people who don’t need surgery or have complex medical needs,” Dr. Adsuar says.

Because they’re not physicians, midwives can’t perform surgery or deliver babies by Cesarean section. But a certified nurse midwife can be a good fit for people who have low-risk pregnancies or who need uncomplicated medical care. That can include:

Some people might tell you that midwives are the better choice for people who prefer to follow a non-medicated birth plan. (As in, giving birth without an epidural or pain-relieving medication.)

And while midwives can help in assisting you in a medication-free birth, having a midwife as your provider doesn’t mean you can’t opt for medicated pain relief.

“Oftentimes, midwives are trained in a broader array of non-medical options for pain management, and they may have the opportunity to employ them more than some physicians might,” Dr. Adsuar clarifies. “But you can work with a midwife and still have medicated pain relief during labor, if that’s your choice. You can also see an Ob/Gyn and have a medication-free birth.”

Advertisement

What an Ob/Gyn can do

Ob/Gyns are doctors. They undergo at least 12 years of education beyond high school before becoming licensed in obstetrics and gynecology. We’re talking:

  • Four years of undergraduate training.
  • Four years of medical school.
  • Four years of residency.

Ob/Gyns are trained and educated to handle all aspects of women’s healthcare, from annual exams to complex surgeries of the female anatomy.

Essentially, Ob/Gyns can do everything a midwife can do. And then some.

“What sometimes happens is that people will start with a midwife and then, they can ‘risk out’ due to a change in their health,” Dr. Adsuar notes. “An Ob/Gyn can step in and handle more complicated medical care. But Ob/Gyns also care for people who don’t have complex healthcare needs. It’s a matter of your preference.”

You may be referred to an Ob/Gyn, rather than a midwife, if you have certain conditions like:

And some Ob/Gyns choose to focus on particular aspects of women’s health. For example, some Ob/Gyns work exclusively with patients in the hospital as they deliver babies. Others may specialize in specific gynecological conditions or surgeries.

Advertisement

“The education gives you the credentials of Ob/Gyn, and then any additional training you choose can allow you to specialize from there,” Dr. Adsuar adds.

Ob/Gyn vs. midwife: Which is right for you?

Whether you should see an Ob/Gyn or midwife for your general healthcare or pregnancy care comes down to two things:

  1. Your health needs.
  2. Your comfort.

“If you have a medical condition that requires a physician’s care, you should see an Ob/Gyn,” Dr. Adsuar advises. “For people who are generally healthy and don’t necessarily need a doctor’s intervention, it’s more about your comfort and finding a provider that you connect with.”

Often, too, Ob/Gyns and midwives work together to care for patients. It’s called a “collaborative care” model.

“Collaborative care offers patients midwifery support, while physicians address higher-risk medical concerns. This is often the ideal model for many high-risk obstetric patients and families,” she continues.

Remember, also, that gynecological care is highly personal by nature. So, finding a provider that you connect with is important.

“The person that you see can make such a difference, especially with something as intimate and as personal as your gynecological health,” Dr. Adsuar recognizes. “Choose someone that you can have a frank conversation with about what you’re dealing with. The key to your health may hinge on that connection.”

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Health Library
Midwife

Related Articles

Smiling new parents holding swaddled newborn baby
November 20, 2024/Pregnancy & Childbirth
Newborn Coming Into Your Life? Here’s What Vaccines You Should Get

Baby’s caregivers should be up-to-date on flu, COVID-19 and Tdap vaccines to protect the newborn in their lives

Female asleep in bed in darkened bedroom, red alarm clock on table
November 15, 2024/Sleep
Why Women Need To Sleep More Than Men

Changing hormones, mental health issues and a higher risk for sleep disorders can all impact women’s sleep needs

Female looking at laptop at home desk in living room, hand on head, holding coffee cup, looking stressed
November 14, 2024/Women's Health
Midlife Crisis in Women: When It Starts and How To Cope

Biological changes, family issues and work problems may cause you to reevaluate your life and make changes for the better

Female reclining on couch holding laptop, having video appointment with healthcare provider
November 8, 2024/Sex & Relationships
Dealing With Vaginal Rips and Tears After Sex

Most tears down there are mild and heal on their own, but some require medical treatment

Person lying on floor in living room doing pelvic floor exercise
November 4, 2024/Women's Health
How and Why To Do Pelvic Floor Exercises

Strengthening your pelvic floor can help you avoid incontinence issues and sexual dysfunction

Caregiver holding newborn on chest, with bathtub filling in background
October 31, 2024/Pregnancy & Childbirth
Newborn’s First Bath: The Benefits of Waiting

Delaying baby’s first bath can encourage breastfeeding success and strengthen bonding

Female looking over their shoulder, with oversized tube of gel and x'd out sperm
October 28, 2024/Women's Health
Birth Control Gel: Effectiveness and How It Works

Birth control gel is simple to use and an effective method for preventing pregnancy

Three happy females sitting at table outside playing cards
October 25, 2024/Brain & Nervous System
14 Ways To Limit Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Research suggests that up to 45% of current Alzheimer’s cases may have been avoidable

Trending Topics

Person touching aching ear, with home remedies floating around
Home Remedies for an Ear Infection: What To Try and What To Avoid

Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help

Infographic of foods high in iron, including shrimp, oysters, peas, cream of wheat, prunes, eggs, broccoli, beef and chicken
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Person squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water
Is Starting Your Day With Lemon Water Healthy?

A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine

Ad