Having a baby is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and scary times in your life. While you get ready to welcome your baby into the world you are being met with many crucial decisions. One of the most important first decisions you will make is who will deliver your baby!
Vaginal Birth
This is the most common way babies are delivered. About 75% of babies are delivery vaginally. Additionally, it is the preferred way to deliver for many reasons. This type of delivery involves the mother pushing the baby through the vaginal canal for delivery.
Benefits of a vaginal delivery to the mother:
- Avoid surgery
- Quicker recovery time and shorter hospital admission
- Quicker onset of lactation (breast milk production)
- Decreased complications in future pregnancies
Benefits of a vaginal delivery to the baby:
- Decreased infant respiratory conditions
- Improved immune function, possibly due to the infant's exposure to normal vaginal and gut bacteria during vaginal birth
Cesarean Delivery
Cesarean section, C-section, or Cesarean birth is the surgical delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. ObGyn doctors, and some Family Medicine doctors deliver the baby this way when they believe it is safer for the mother, the baby, or both.
What kind of doctor can deliver my baby?
There are 3 kinds of providers who can delivery your baby: a family doctor, midwife, or ObGyn.
Family Doctors – Family doctors care for patients at all stages of their lives. Obstetrical care (which includes prenatal care, delivery of baby, and postpartum care) is a routine part of Family Medicine training. Many Family Doctors enjoy delivering babies throughout their career. Your family doctor can care for you during your pregnancy and delivery, and then care for both you and your baby after delivery. Many family doctors take care of babies until they grow up and then deliver their babies. They provide medical care for the whole family.
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide and care during pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
Ob-Gyn Doctors – They are doctors who specialize in women’s health and focus on caring for reproductive-age and post-menopausal women. They are trained in many obstetrical and gynecologic surgical procedures and specialize in taking care of women with high-risk pregnancies.
Whoever you choose to delivery your baby, it is important to take your preferences and pregnancy and health history into consideration. If you’re unsure which provider is best for you, ask your family doctor.
At Northwest Family Clinics, several of our Family Medicine trained physicians deliver babies at both Maple Grove Hospital and North Memorial Medical Center.