Choosing a doctor and hospital for pregnancy and birth

There’s a lot to think about when welcoming a new baby to your family.

Where you choose to have your baby and who’s on your care team are two of the most important decisions you’ll make.

Finding a supportive provider before or in the early stages of pregnancy can help you feel confident throughout your journey.

Sarah Shoemaker, DNP, CNM, is a certified nurse midwife with OSF HealthCare. She explained how to pick an OB/GYN or midwife, as well as a birth location for your delivery.

Choosing a provider

If you don’t have an OB/GYN or midwife yet, you can ask your primary care provider for a recommendation. Sometimes your health insurance will give you a specific provider or options to choose from.

For most people, finding the right doctor for their pregnancy means finding someone who listens, answers your questions and helps you feel cared for.

“Do your research,” Sarah said. “It’s important to find health care providers who listen to you and who are strong advocates for your needs.”

It’s also a good idea to think about what kind of experience or birth plan you want. What kind of pain management do you prefer? Who do you want in the delivery room? Are there certain things you want to be able to do in the delivery room, like listen to music or turn off lights? You may also want to ask if the hospital offers any kind of advanced technology, like virtual maternal and fetal monitoring.

“Once you know what your goals are for the pregnancy and birth, that can help guide your decision-making. Do not be afraid to advocate for yourself, interview providers, get to know them and pick one that fits your needs,” Sarah said.

Several different types of providers may be involved in your pregnancy, from doctors who help with labor and delivery to high-risk pregnancy doctors.

OB/GYN

OB/GYN stands for obstetrician and gynecologist.

An obstetrician is a doctor who delivers babies and specializes in birth. Their expertise is in women’s medical and surgical care.

A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in women’s health care. You may already have a gynecologist for things like Pap smears, pelvic exams and breast health checks. When you’re pregnant, your gynecologist can confirm your pregnancy and get you connected to the right care for you and your baby.

Obstetrician vs. gynecologist

An obstetrician is often called an OB/GYN because they help women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant. They usually only treat things that are related to pregnancy.

A gynecologist is also technically an OB/GYN, but they often just practice gynecology. That includes performing cancer screenings and treating women’s health issues, including:

• Urinary tract infections
• Fertility concerns
• Reproductive endocrinology
• Hormonal problems
• Pelvic floor issues

Maternal-fetal specialist

If you have certain health conditions or your pregnancy is considered high risk, you may need a high-risk doctor to help guide your pregnancy.

A maternal-fetal specialist is an OB/GYN who received extra training to treat more complicated pregnancies and births. They are sometimes called perinatologists.

Maternal-fetal specialists are great if you or your baby needs special attention. For example, if you have a chronic health condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes, a maternal-fetal specialist can help monitor your health throughout pregnancy and during delivery.

Getting a referral from your OB/GYN to a maternal-fetal specialist may seem stressful, but they can help keep you and your baby healthier if there are any unique issues.

Midwife

Midwives are another option to have available for your birthing experience. They often use more holistic approaches for labor and delivery, like trying different breathing techniques and labor positions. It is a myth, however, that midwives only support labor without an epidural.

“Midwives very often have time built into their schedule devoted to labor support so they can be more involved in the labor process. If this is important to you, no matter what pain management you choose, a midwife may be the right provider for you,” Sarah said.

A nurse midwife is different from an OB/GYN because midwives are not surgeons. They are registered nurses who went on to get master’s or doctoral degrees in midwifery, specializing in low-risk vaginal birth and women’s health care.

Doula

A doula is an optional care team member that you can hire. They offer emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor and delivery. While doulas are very helpful to the birthing process, they are not medical professionals like OB/GYNs or midwives. They can help you understand your hopes and needs so you can come up with a birth plan. During labor, they’ll be an advocate to help you make decisions with your birth plan in mind.

They can also help you manage pain through massage, position changes and breathing techniques.

Questions to ask your care team

When you’re searching for providers for your pregnancy and delivery, start with an open conversation. Asking questions will help you to choose the best provider for you and your baby.

Here are some examples of questions to ask your care team before you give birth:

• What pain management options do you support?
• Is care covered by my insurance?
• What hospitals do you deliver at?
• What happens if I go into labor when you’re not on call?
• Do you perform episiotomies? (These are small cuts to the skin between the vagina and anus to reduce tearing during birth)
• How often do you perform C-sections?
• How can you support my birth plan?
• Does the hospital allow babies to stay with you after birth?
• How would you support my decisions before, during and after birth?
• How much input on the labor process can I have?
• Do I have the ability to be mobile during labor?

How to choose where to have your baby

Choosing where you meet your baby for the first time is one of the most personal decisions you’ll ever make. Think about what environment makes you feel most supported, the care team you’ve chosen to be present during delivery and what each birth setting offers, from technology and pain management to emotional support and recovery care.

It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance provider early to learn which hospitals or birthing centers are covered under your plan. Being prepared with this information can help you choose the birth setting that best fits your needs and personal preferences.

Hospital

There are many factors that can influence your decision to give birth at a hospital, including your insurance, distance to your home and whether your provider is employed at the hospital.

Many OB/GYNs only deliver in hospitals because of the resources available, including advanced technology. Some hospitals offer tours that allow you to see the birthing suites and meet members of the care team before delivery day to get a feel for the environment.

If you’re giving birth in a hospital, you’ll have access to many emergency services in case something happens. Hospitals also offer the most options to manage pain, including nitrous oxide, IV pain medication and epidurals.

“For patients with uncomplicated deliveries, many choose to go home the next day,” Sarah said. “If you have a cesarean, or C-section, you will probably stay for two or three days.”

Hospitals are staffed full-time with medically trained professionals, like doctors, advanced practice providers and nurses. Hospitals also have other specialists on staff that can help if needed, like neonatologists and lactation consultants.

Some health systems, including OSF HealthCare, offer advanced, AI-powered remote maternal and fetal monitoring. This monitoring alerts your care team to changes in vital signs to keep you and your baby safer.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy or a planned C-section, a hospital birth is often the safest option for delivery.

Birthing center

A birthing center is a place outside of a hospital where babies are delivered.

While some birthing centers have an OB/GYN available for consultation, care is typically provided by midwives and nurses. These centers focus on natural, holistic approaches to childbirth. Many also have nitrous oxide available for patients, which is similar to laughing gas you would get at the dentist, and water birth is usually an option.

Birthing centers are designed for low-risk pregnancies. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, contact the center for guidance. Because they don’t offer epidurals or IV pain medication, make sure you are prepared for an unmedicated birth before choosing this setting.

In some cases, complications during labor or delivery may require you to transfer to a nearby hospital for additional care. Make sure the birthing center has plans in place to coordinate a safe transfer if this becomes necessary.

Home birth

Some families consider delivering their baby at home for a more personal or natural experience. However, it’s important to understand that home births carry additional risks because emergency care and medical resources aren’t immediately available.

Even when labor begins normally, complications such as changes in your baby’s heart rate, a sudden rise in your blood pressure or a change in your baby’s position can quickly become serious. Getting to a hospital for emergency care can take time, which may impact the safety of you and your baby.

For these reasons, most providers recommend giving birth in a hospital or birthing center, where immediate medical support is available if needed.

Questions to ask when choosing where to give birth

When touring hospitals and meeting with care teams, here are some helpful questions that will guide you in your decision:

• How often are C-sections performed?
• Are labor and delivery rooms private or shared?
• How will my baby and I be monitored during labor and delivery?
• What high risk services are available in case any issues come up?
• Where do I check in when I go into labor?
• What breastfeeding support is available?
• What prenatal classes are offered?
• What amenities are available?
• Will I get to do skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping or any other special requests?
• How many support people are allowed in the room?
• Is there a place for my support person to sleep in the room?
• Are visitors allowed?

Sarah said that flexibility is key. Even if you have a plan for where you give birth, who’s there and how everything goes, it’s important to keep expectations realistic.

“Working with your provider to come up with a plan, as well as contingency plans during birth, helps to prevent birth trauma,” Sarah said. “Birth and pregnancy can be unpredictable, and it’s important that your choices and needs are supported. Having a team you trust working together helps provide the best outcome for you and your baby.”

Last Updated: November 6, 2025