Difference Between Midwife and OB

Midwife vs OB

When it comes to pregnancy and delivery, people sometimes choose a midwife or an OB, or obstetrician. Sometimes people find it hard to make a choice between the two. Though both an OB and a midwife are related to pregnancy and delivery, they have differences in their fundamental philosophies and practices.

The first difference that can be seen between the two is in the education. An OB is a medical doctor which means that they have enrolled in a medical school and have got certification for practicing medicine. Midwives only undergo a midwifery education. A midwife gets special education in pregnancy, delivery, and labor.

Though a midwife performs the same parental care as that of an obstetrician, a midwife is always under an OB. Though midwives can also prescribe medication in response to parental care, people prefer an OB to prescribe the medications. Midwives are trained to read an ultrasound, but people rely more on the observations made by an OB.

Now in the case of delivery, most of the OBs only encourage natural delivery with no pain and little medical intervention. On the other hand, a midwife tries to avoid any medical intervention. OBs prefer delivery at hospitals, but a midwife encourages delivery at home. So if you want to deliver your child at home, it is better to have the care of a midwife.

Unlike the OBs, midwives train a mother for a successful delivery. They will train mothers what to eat and what to do during pregnancy.

Though midwives get training in delivery, they would call an OB in case of any complications as the doctors are very well trained to handle all complications.

Summary:

1.An OB is a medical doctor which means that they have enrolled in a medical school and have got certification for practicing medicine. Midwives only undergo a midwifery education.
2.Though a midwife performs the same parental care as that of an obstetrician, a midwife is always under an OB.
3.Most of the OBs only encourage natural delivery with no pain and little medical intervention. On the other hand, a midwife tries to avoid any medical intervention.
4.Unlike the OBs, midwives train a mother for a successful delivery. They will train mothers what to eat and what to do during pregnancy.
5.Though midwives get training in delivery, they would call an OB in case of any complication as the doctors are very well trained to handle all complications.

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