Deciding between a Certified Nurse Midwife or a Physician is a personal choice for most women.  Unless your pregnancy is considered high risk, a CNM is also an option for your prenatal care and delivery. 

Some of the benefits of using a midwife include:

1. Midwives stress good nutrition for their clients
2. Midwives stress education and share useful information then leave the decisions to the client.
3. Midwives stress natural birth and breastfeeding
4. Midwives try to minimize the interventions used.
5. Midwives trust a woman's power to give birth successfully.
6. Midwives support vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
7. Midwives prefer homeopathic methods.

Ten Questions to Ask When Choosing a care provider

1. What hospital are you affiliated with?
2. What types of insurance do you accept?
3. What are your hours and how can you be reached after hours?
4. How long does it take to get an appointment?
5. How many people are in your group?
6. Who will deliver my baby? You or your partners?
7. Where are your offices located?
8. Who do I call for questions?
9. What is your philosophy on pain medication?
10. What is your cesarean section rate?

Ten Questions to Ask When Choosing a Hospital or birthing center

1. Do you have labor/delivery/recovery suites?
2. Is there a special care nursery?
3. Are neonatologists available 24-hours a day?
4. Who can be with me during labor?
5. What type of security system do you have for newborns?
6. Do you have lactation consultants?
7. Are there special services for my support person?
8. Can my partner be present if I have a cesarean?
9. What unique comfort services are provided to new mothers?
10. What type of education is offered?

Ten Questions to Ask When Choosing a Pediatrician

1. What hospital are you affiliated with?
2. Where are your offices located?
3. What types of insurance do you accept?
4. How long does it take to get an appointment?
5. Who sees my child—you or your partners?
6. Who will answer my questions, and how long will I wait for an answer?
7. What are your views on breastfeeding and circumcision?
8. What is your philosophy of care?
9. Are you board-certified? Do you have an area of specialization?
10. How do I reach you for an after hours emergency?