7 Healthcare Providers Who May Be in Your Delivery Room
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
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Meet Your TeamIt’s hard to know what to expect in the delivery room. Even if you’ve already had a baby, each birth is different. That’s why you’ll have a full labor and delivery team to guide you through the process. Here’s a look at seven healthcare providers you may meet as you welcome your new arrival. -
Ob/Gyn or Family DoctorChances are you’ve already met the doctor who will attend your birth. But if you go to a large practice or your usual provider is not available, you may be meeting this person for the first time. Your attending doctor will oversee your care during your delivery and may be present from the time you start labor or may not arrive until you are ready to give birth.
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MidwifeMidwives are health professionals who receive special training in taking care of women during pregnancy and birth. If you have a low-risk pregnancy, you may choose to have a certified midwife or certified nurse-midwife deliver your baby instead of a doctor. Many women choose midwives because they want a more personalized approach to birth. Most midwives work with a doctor who can assist if any problems arise during your delivery.
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Labor and Delivery NurseA labor and delivery nurse will also be on hand to assist you throughout the delivery. Your nurse is trained to help you get through both the emotional and physical aspects of labor. You may interact more with your labor and delivery nurse than any other member of your birthing team. Depending on the hospital or birth center you choose, you may also have a personal care attendant to assist your nurse.
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AnesthesiologistAn anesthesiologist is the doctor in charge of pain relief during your labor and delivery. You may meet this doctor if you choose to have an epidural or other pain medicine or if you need to have a cesarean section (C-section).
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Maternal-Fetal DoctorA maternal-fetal doctor specializes in helping women with high-risk pregnancies and childbirth. This doctor may be in the delivery room if you are having twins or other multiples, if you go into preterm labor, or if you have pregnancy complications. This includes conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or problems with the placenta. These doctors are also vital team members if you have a chronic health condition, such as heart disease or epilepsy.
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NeonatologistA neonatologist is a doctor who specializes in taking care of premature babies and full-term babies with other problems—such as, injuries during birth, illnesses, and birth defects. If your baby has a condition that you know of before birth, a neonatologist may be at the delivery. In most cases, you will not need a neonatologist. But if there are any concerns during or after your delivery, your doctor may have a neonatologist assess your baby’s health.
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Medical Students and ResidentsA medical student, nursing student, or resident may be part of your team as part of their education. Students are there to observe. Residents have graduated from medical school and are in training. A resident works under the guidance of your attending doctor. Your consent is necessary for any of these people to be present. Your generous consent makes it possible for this next generation of physicians to receive valuable clinical experience. Either way, it’s your choice. It’s okay if you prefer not to have students or residents involved in your care.
7 Healthcare Providers Who May Be in Your Delivery Room
