Midwives vs doctors ?

STracy91

Okay , first of all ... I JUST discovered this app , so if I'm doing this all wrong , bare with me haha .

Okay so , I had an appointment yesterday and usually I see an ob/gyn but for some reason they set my appointment with a midwife . The appointment was just a check up (heart beat , measure ... That kinda thing) so I wasn't super worried about things being different . He was really nice and the appointment went well ... But I honestly have NO idea what the difference in a midwife and a doctor is .
And what if when I go into labor , my doctor can't make it and then I get a midwife instead ?
Haha I guess that's kinda what makes me nervous .

So really , my question is what is the difference in a doctor and a midwife ? And will my labor go any differently if they decide to have a midwife do the delivery instead ?

JaymeeLH

First, your midwife was a he? That's highly unusual. And really at the end of the day the only difference as far as birth is that a midwife cannot perform cesarean sections. They can still order pitocin and epidurals etc. 

PacoCat33

I've been seeing a mid-wife and not a doctor. I love the women I've been seeing. IMO- They give a more personalized approach and take their time during my appointments. They really respect birth plans and your wishes. Plus, I love the history of mid-wives!

Basically the only difference is that the MW can't perform surgery, so at every delivery they attend, they have a back-up physician in case of an emergency.

STracy91

That makes much more sense !
Haha thanks ladies .