When it comes to childbirth, many people are unaware of the differences between a midwife and an obstetrician or OB physician. Liz Derry of Bay Area Birth in Corpus Christi highlights some of the benefits and distinctions of opting for a midwife for part or all of the child birthing process.
There are many options that an expecting mother has when it comes to childbirth. A midwife can provide many of the same treatments and care that are available from an obstetrician. These services might include bloodwork, ultrasounds, blood pressure testing, and fetal tones. The biggest difference is that these procedures are conducted in the patient’s home. The midwife will schedule several at-home visits to ensure the pregnancy is on track and meeting the normal benchmarks. A midwife in Corpus Christi also consults with the parents to answer any questions or concerns that come up, similar to a doctor’s visit in a hospital or clinic. Derry says her visits typically average 60 minutes which is in contrast to a busy physician that can often only spare a few minutes.
Another difference is that a midwife, like Derry, will continue to visit with parents after the birth well past the Post-Partum period. Derry finds that people appreciate her continued visits and it is a supportive way to help the parents during the transition. While midwifery in Corpus Christi is different for each patient, there are still basic practices that Derry likes to apply to all cases.
She also points out that an OB/GYN and hospitals are a necessity if complications should present themselves during delivery. As a trained professional nurse she is qualified to know when a patient needs hospitalization and can quickly facilitate that move.
Derry says she offers these services because she felt inspired to do so. “After birthing my youngest three children at home with midwives, I felt a deep calling to the work of midwifery. I knew that it was where my heart was. Birth in the home setting is much more serene, personal, and much more likely for the woman to be able to fully trust her body and be successful in attaining a truly natural birth. I started Bay Area Birth in hopes that women in the Corpus Christi would have more options available to them for their prenatal care, and most importantly their births. I want all women to be able to feel loved, supported, and nurtured during their pregnancies and births and to feel empowered to be able to trust their bodies and their birth.”
For more information about prenatal care and midwifery in Corpus Christi, contact Bay Area Birth.
Phone: 361-904-6868
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.