Pregnancy and birth are among the most transformative experiences in life and the kind of care you receive can deeply shape how you feel during that journey. At Aquarius Midwifery, we believe that care should be personal, empowering, and centered around you.
Did you you know that in OB care you will spend 4-5 hours with providers in the practice? This is across all prenatal care, the birth, and postpartum. In comparison, on average, our clients spend around 40 hours face to face with us. Not including messaging, phone calls, and other care coordination.
How else does standard obstetric (OB) care compare to midwifery care with a licensed midwife?
Obstetrical Care vs. Licensed Midwifery Care
| Aspect of Care | Standard Obstetrical (OB) Care | Licensed Midwifery Care (Aquarius Midwifery) |
|---|---|---|
| Model of Care | Follows a medical model focused on identifying and managing risk; pregnancy is viewed as a condition to monitor. | Based on a holistic model that views pregnancy and birth as normal life events; focuses on wellness, prevention, and informed choice. |
| Provider Type | Physician (OB/GYN) — trained in surgery and pathology; often works within a hospital system. | Licensed Midwife (LM, CPM) — trained in out-of-hospital birth, physiologic birth, and comprehensive family-centered care. |
| Birth Setting | Primarily hospital-based; care follows hospital policies and procedures. | Home or birth center settings; care is individualized and family-oriented. |
| Prenatal Visits | Typically 10–15 minutes long; focused on vitals, measurements, and lab work. | Around 45–90 minutes; includes physical, emotional, and educational support with time for questions and connection. |
| Continuity of Care | Clients may see multiple providers; the attending OB at birth may not be known in advance. | You work with the same midwife (or small team) throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for consistent, personalized care. |
| Decision-Making | Provider-led; decisions often follow standard protocols or hospital policies. | Shared decision-making; clients are informed and empowered to make choices about their care. |
| Labor & Birth Environment | Monitored and managed; interventions such as IVs, continuous fetal monitoring, and epidurals are common. | Supportive of natural physiology; freedom to move, eat, and birth in comfort; interventions used only when necessary. |
| Support During Labor | OB typically arrives for delivery; continuous labor support often provided by nurses or doulas. | Midwife provides continuous, hands-on support throughout active labor and birth. |
| Postpartum Care | Usually one 6-week follow-up visit; limited early postpartum support. | Multiple home and office visits (typically at 24–48 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks); guidance with recovery, newborn care, and feeding. |
| Emergency Skills | Highly trained in medical and surgical intervention (e.g., cesarean birth, operative delivery). | Skilled in emergency management for out-of-hospital birth (e.g., neonatal resuscitation, hemorrhage control, transfer coordination). |
| Philosophy | Emphasizes safety through technology and medical oversight. | Emphasizes safety through relationship, continuity, education, and trust in the birth process. |
Recent Comments