Midwife vs OB-GYN
Both can provide prenatal care, attend births, and care for you after delivery. The differences are in training, scope, and the kinds of pregnancies each typically manages.
Last reviewed against the public health sources linked on this page on .
Side by side
| Certified nurse-midwife (CNM) | Obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who they are | An advanced practice nurse who has graduated from an accredited midwifery program and passed a national certification exam (AMCB) | A physician who specialises in pregnancy, childbirth, and women’s health |
| Pregnancy care | Pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum care; also gynecologic care, family planning, and primary care | All of these, including pregnancies with complications |
| Surgery | Assists physicians during surgery | Performs surgery, including cesarean births |
| Prescribing | Prescribes medicines and orders diagnostic tests | Prescribes medicines and orders diagnostic tests |
| Where they practice | Private offices, birth centers, homes, hospitals, health departments, community centers, telehealth | Varies by practice; ask where they deliver |
CNM details from MedlinePlus and the American College of Nurse-Midwives; licensing rules vary by state. “Certified midwives” (CMs) have the same training and certification as CNMs without an RN licence and are licensed in a smaller number of states.
How to choose
- Your health and pregnancy history — a pregnancy with complications is usually managed by a physician, sometimes with a midwife on the team.
- Where you want to give birth — hospital, birth center, or home — and who practices there.
- Who is on call when you go into labor, and what happens if you need a cesarean.
- Your insurance network.
Common questions
- Can a midwife deliver in a hospital?
- Yes. MedlinePlus lists hospitals among the settings where CNMs work, along with birth centers, homes, and offices.
- Are midwives licensed?
- CNMs can be licensed in all 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories, under each state’s law. Certified midwives (CMs) are licensed in fewer states.
Sources
- Certified nurse-midwife (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- About Midwifery (opens in a new tab) — American College of Nurse-Midwives
- Have a Healthy Pregnancy (opens in a new tab) — HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Questions about this page
Tell us if something here is unclear or a source has changed. We cannot answer questions about your own pregnancy or care — please ask your OB, midwife, or care team. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). Crisis: call or text 988.
We can’t answer questions about your own diagnosis, medication, or treatment — please ask your prescriber. We also can’t book appointments, check your insurance, or refer you to a clinic.
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Last reviewed against the public health sources linked on this page on .
Every clinical statement on this page comes from a source listed above. If one has changed, tell us and we will correct the page.