Choosing a Health Care Provider

Ten Questions to Ask

More Questions to Ask

Philosophies of Care

Midwives

Family Doctors

Obstetricians

Obstetricians
Did you know: The United States and Canada are the only highly industrialized Western countries in the world where normal, low - risk births are attended by obstetricians.

In Australia, the Netherlands, Great Britian, all Scandinavian countries, Germany, Ireland and many other countries, 75% of all births are assisted by trained midwives. Obstetricians in these countries serve as specialists who provide assistance for the 10 - 15% of the births in which there are serious complications.

"When obstetricians provide maternity care for healthy women, they often apply interventions that are appropriate for complicated pregnancies to all women." Ina May Gaskin, CPM

Obstetricians medical training focuses on detecting and treating the pathological problems of pregnancy, labor and birth. They are surgical specialists who are performing an increasing number of cesarean sections each year. The current rate of cesareans in Virginia is over 30%. The World Health Organization suggests that about 10% of all pregnancies require a cesarean for the safety of mother and/or baby. Your chances of having a cesarean depend greatly on your caregivers philosophy of care. Rates of cesareans vary from doctor to doctor. Feel free to ask a doctor how often he or she performs cesarean sections.

Birth Matters will list on our website any obstetrician whose birth statistics meet the guidelines listed in the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative. Please let us know if you would like to recommend an obstetrician to us.