As the date of your delivery grows nearer, the number of choices for obstetrical care may overwhelm you. Any of the following people may deliver a baby:
- A certified nurse-midwife;
- A family physician;
- An obstetrician/gynecologist;
- A high-risk pregnancy specialist (maternal-fetal medicine, perinatologists).
You can also deliver at home with the assistance of a lay midwife. If your pregnancy is proceeding well without complication, you may be cared for equally well by a certified nurse-midwife, family physician, obstetrician/gynecologist, or maternal-fetal medicine specialist. But if there is a greater potential for complications, you may be better off seeking care from an obstetrician/gynecologist. Consultation or complete care by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist (perinatologist) is probably the best option for high-risk women.