Individual practitioners vary in experience and types of training, philosophy, and practice structure. Obstetrician physicians specialize in gynecological surgery, disease, and complications of pregnancy and birth. Midwives and family physicians have expertise in normal health processes and generally care for people experiencing non-acute health conditions. Research shows that best practices are ones where practitioners of various training and backgrounds collaborate together.
Many people believe that they must stay with the practitioner or practice group they know or have been assigned to, but in fact, you can research your healthcare options until you find the health partner and place that feel best for you. Most practitioners offer a brief meet-and-greet or free interview.
Questions that are important to some pregnant people:
- How much time will the practitioner spend with me at appointments?
- Is my partner/doula/friend/child/other family member welcome?
- Who else does the practitioner work or collaborate with?
- Will the practitioner I see in pregnancy be with me in labor? What about after birth?
- What classes or other resources are available?
Obstetrician / Gynecologist (OBGYN)
Obstetricians (OBs) are specialist physicians and surgeons who care for people seeking wellness, gynecological, reproductive, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care from adolescence onward. OBs do not care for infants. OBs continue care beyond pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
In Wisconsin, Obstetricians:
- most often practice in small to large groups but can practice individually;
- care for people in clinics and hospitals;
- prescribe medications;
- are trained in neonatal resuscitation and CPR;
- bill Medicaid/BadgerCare, federal, and private insurances (your insurance may determine which practitioner you work with).*
*check with your insurance and the website of your local clinic(s) for the most updated and complete list of covered Obstetricians
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) or Licensed Midwife (LM)
Certified Professional Midwives are licensed as Licensed Midwives in Wisconsin. CPMs/LMs care for people throughout the childbearing year, including through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, lactation, and early infant cares and screens. LMs often also are experienced doulas and offer individualized care through six weeks after birth.
In Wisconsin, Licensed Midwives:
- practice in individual or small group practices;*
- care for people in homes, offices, and independent birth centers;
- offer labor, birth, postpartum and newborn medications;
- are trained and certified in neonatal resuscitation and CPR;
- may bill Medicaid/BadgerCare and many private insurances (WI HMOs do not contract with out-of-hospital midwives);
- offer self-pay discounts or sliding-scale arrangements.
*to find a Licensed Midwife, google midwives in your area and click below
Find a Licensed Midwife (CPM)
Family Medical Doctor (MD)
Family MDs or Physicians are also called Family Medicine or Primary Care Physicians and care for people of all ages. They may or may not offer obstetric services, so you must ask about this. Family MDs with obstetric service care for people seeking wellness, gynecological, reproductive, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and infant care and screens. Family MDs continue care beyond pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and can care for the whole family.
In Wisconsin, Family Physicians:
- most often practice in small to large groups but can practice individually;
- most often care for people in clinics and hospitals but can work in homes and independent birth centers;
- prescribe medications;
- are trained in neonatal resuscitation and CPR;
- bill Medicaid/BadgerCare, federal, and private insurances (your insurance may determine which practitioner you work with).*
*check with your insurance and the website of your local clinic(s) for the most updated and complete list of covered Family Physicians
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
Certified Nurse Midwives are licensed both as registered nurses (RNs) and nurse-midwives. CNMs care for people seeking wellness, gynecological, reproductive, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care from adolescence onward.
CNMs continue care beyond pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and may offer early infant cares and screens.
In Wisconsin, Certified Nurse Midwives:
- most often practice in small to moderate-sized groups but can practice individually;*
- most often care for people in clinics and hospitals but can work in homes and independent birth centers;
- most often prescribe medications;
- are trained and may be certified in neonatal resuscitation and CPR;
- may bill Medicaid/BadgerCare, federal, and most private insurances (WI HMOs do not contract with out-of-hospital midwives; your insurance may determine which practitioner you work with);**
- may offer self-pay discounts or sliding-scale arrangements.
*to find a Certified Nurse Midwife, google midwives in your area and click below
**check with your insurance and the website of your local clinic(s) for the most updated and complete list of covered Nurse Midwives