Want to give birth, choose a gynecologist or midwife, yes?

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When you finally get pregnant, you may be a little confused about giving birth with an obstetrician or with a midwife. Both of them can help you give birth to your child, both experts, but maybe you are just confused which is more suitable for you.

Obstetricians and midwives are just as good. Whatever you choose, whether it's a doctor or midwife, is the same, depending on your condition and depending on other factors such as what experience you want, you plan to give birth where, whether your pregnancy is normal or has a high risk, or do you have insurance that willcover labor costs.

In order for you not to be confused, identify first what are the basic differences between obstetricians and midwives, as described below.

The type of education taken by doctors and midwives

One of the big differences between obstetricians and midwives lies in the type of education they take. Obstetricians specialize in pregnancy and birth. Obstetricians study at medical schools and are trained to carry out operations.

Another is with midwives, who are trained in all matters relating to pregnancy and birth, but do not study in medical school. Although not holding a doctor's degree, their competence is no different from a doctor in terms of providing services for pregnancy and birth. Obstetricians usually do not serve home calls so you have to give birth in a hospital or clinic.

Midwives specialize in the risk of low and medium pregnancy in healthy pregnant women. Usually, midwives will advise women to go to the obstetrician when there is a problem, and the midwife also does not have a C-section. Some midwives can help with childbirth at home and some only do it at the hospital.

How serious is your condition

Your physical condition is the most important thing to consider before finally choosing to give birth with the help of an obstetrician or midwife. As explained earlier, if you are healthy and your condition is normal, maybe the midwife is enough. However, if your health condition is abnormal, such as if you have high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, or diabetes, and certain serious complications in a previous pregnancy, your risk is high and you will need a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist (MFM), expert who specializes in high-risk pregnancies.

If you have previously used the services of a midwife and in the middle of a problem there are problems, such as premature birth or preeclampsia, even if you turn out to contain twins, a good midwife will usually recommend you go to an obstetrician or perinatologist. However, depending on your condition, you can use the services of a midwife or obstetrician simultaneously, if possible and if you really need it.

Different work models, depending on needs

Obstetricians and midwives have different work models. Depending on you, when you choose to use the services of a midwife, you will follow the workings of a midwife. Vice versa.

Under the work of a midwife, pregnancy and childbirth are truly considered natural, not medical. The focus is care and prevention during pregnancy. Consultations during pregnancy with midwives are generally long, so you can ask more questions about pregnancy and nutrition.

The performance of midwives has been shown to reduce the potential for Caesarean section and other interventions, including the use of vacuum and forceps. The midwife's working model is "see and wait" during the birth process. That is, medical interventions are not used unless there are medical needs.

While obstetricians, it is usually more likely to intervene because their work methods use medical management, the purpose of which is more to "control" your birth. He can intervene in birth, such as using pitocin to speed up birth, so there is no need to give birth Caesar.

Previously, it's a good idea to ask either the midwife or obstetrician about their work processes before you will give birth. This is important, because the way they work will also greatly affect yourself during childbirth later. The more you ask, the more you will find the better and more suitable for you later between the obstetrician and midwife.

Prioritize comfort

Although women in big cities prefer to give birth at a hospital accompanied by a doctor, in many other areas in Indonesia the field is even more popular. However, along with the re-emerging trend of natural labor methods such as water birthingdone at home, the role of midwives is also now starting to climb again in big cities.

Whatever your choice, the most important thing is to choose someone who makes you truly comfortable, who understands your personal needs, who respects your desires, and who works for you and your partner.