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Your Birth, Your Way
A Modern Mom’s Guide to Choosing Between OB-GYNs, Midwives, and Doulas
Naomi Knight
May 01, 2025
Get comfy, mama! You know I like to dive deep into subjects on Thursdays!
When I was pregnant for the first time, I thought choosing my care provider would be as simple as picking the OB-GYN my friend raved about or whichever provider my insurance covered.
But what I didn’t realize back then is this: the person (or people) who care for you during your pregnancy will shape the way you experience your birth—and your memory of it—for the rest of your life.
Let that sink in.
Your care provider isn’t just there to do checkups or “deliver the baby.”
They are there to hold space for your questions, your fears, your values, your boundaries, and ultimately, your birth plan.
So let’s talk about how to choose the right one for you.
The Care Provider You Choose Matters
In First Time Pregnancy for Modern Moms, I wrote:
“You have choices.”
“You don’t have to accept the default option just because it’s common or convenient. The person who is caring for you during your pregnancy and birth should make you feel safe, respected, and heard. If you’re not getting that, you have the right to switch providers—even if you're halfway through your pregnancy.”
And I meant every word of it.
Too many women stick with the first provider they meet—even when their gut is screaming that something doesn’t feel right.
So, What Are Your Options?
Let’s break them down: