What’s the difference between a laborist, OB-GYN & midwife?

Laborists, midwives and OB-GYNs all play important roles in your pregnancy care. Here’s how to understand their similarities and their differences. And how to find which one is right for you. 

Pregnancy is an exciting (and sometimes stressful) time. You’re growing a human. And your body is changing in the process. To keep up with those changes for you and your baby, you’ll need to choose a women’s healthcare provider. They will help at every stage of pregnancy, through delivery and after your baby is born. There’s a wide variety of healthcare providers available. So how do you choose the right one? 

“Choosing the right care team for your pregnancy depends on your individual situation and goals,” says Jami Avellini, MD, an OB-GYN and laborist at Geisinger. 

During pregnancy, you typically see an OB-GYN or a midwife. They do similar things but have differences in the types of care they can offer

What is a midwife?

A midwife is a clinician, certified nurse midwife or certified midwife who provides care during pregnancy and supports women’s health. They assist in labor, provide prenatal and postpartum care and assist in women’s health checkups. 

Depending on their license, a midwife can deliver a baby in a hospital, at a birthing center or at home. Midwives can work alongside or in place of an OB-GYN. Midwives put your safety and birth goals first. 

“You may want to consider using a midwife if you have a low-risk pregnancy and are planning a natural birth with few interventions,” Dr. Avellini notes. 

However, if something changes during labor and you develop complications, or need a C-section, you will need a higher level of care than a midwife can provide. That’s where an OB-GYN comes in. 

What is an OB-GYN? 

An OB-GYN is a physician who works with women’s health and supports women during pregnancy. They assist in pregnancy, labor and general women’s health visits. 

An OB-GYN can attend to the most complicated cases, including high-risk pregnancies. They’re also trained to perform C-sections when necessary 

Like a midwife, an OB-GYN is focused on your safety and comfort during birth. They also provide postpartum care. 

What is a laborist? 

A laborist is an OB-GYN who works with pregnant women during labor and delivery. 

“Laborists work exclusively in hospitals and offer 24/7 care. They assist women in labor and delivery and provide support during emergencies,” says Dr. Avellini. 

Working alongside OB-GYN and midwives, laborists are on site and ready to handle any emergency during labor and delivery. This provides continuous in-hospital physician coverage, rather than waiting for the arrival of an on-call provider. 

Laborists also care for women who don’t have a regular OB-GYN or haven’t had regular prenatal care. 

Finding the right care during labor and delivery 

Whether this is your first baby or your fourth, having the right care during childbirth matters. Choosing the type of provider you want really depends on your individual situation, as well as the type of birth you’re planning to have,” says Dr. Avellini. 

When you first confirm your pregnancy, start by thinking about your birth plan. Do you want a natural, unmedicated birth? Would you prefer to give birth at a hospital? Is an epidural part of the plan? 

Note your wishes for everything from pain management to who can be in the delivery room. Once you’ve laid out your goals, check with your health insurance carrier to find providers and facilities who are in-network. 

You can also look at things like C-section rates, access to NICU facilities and other factors. Having this information can help point you toward the type of birth and aftercare you want. 

Pregnancy care the right way 

No matter what stage of pregnancy you are at, making an informed decision will help protect you and your baby. To keep your family as healthy as possible, consider these tips: 

Contact your provider 

Reaching out to a healthcare professional can not only help you stay healthy. It can help avoid potential health concerns or complications. Your provider may also recommend medication or medical advice to protect you and your baby. 

Attend scheduled visits 

Attending prenatal visits is important for a variety of reasons. Your scheduled prenatal visits help: 

• Keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy
• Track fetal growth and development
• Detect potential health issues like preeclampsia 
• Develop a care plan 

Keep the lines of communication open

Pregnancy often involves an entire care team. Keeping them in the loop on changes to your symptoms or overall health can help everyone be on the same page. And being on the same page can prepare you for anything.

See also: 

Pregnancy and newborn care at Geisinger
What is a laborist? 
8 pregnancy myths debunked