Everything you want to know about midwives

Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team - September 2026.

A midwife can provide care during pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period. Depending on their credentials, midwives may also provide reproductive and gynecologic care.

Here are the questions we get the most often about midwives.

What does a midwife do during pregnancy?

The care a midwife can provide depends on their credentials, where they practice, and state laws. During pregnancy, a midwife may:

• Provide prenatal care and physical exams
• Order and review blood work, ultrasounds, and other prenatal tests
• Track your health and your baby's health
• Talk about nutrition, exercise, medicine, and other aspects of a healthy pregnancy
• Help you understand your options for labor and birth
• Provide education about pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and newborn care
• Consult with or refer you to another healthcare provider when needed

They may also care for you during labor and birth, support your recovery after delivery, and provide care for healthy newborns during the first weeks of life.

What if I want pain medicine or an epidural?

Choosing a midwife doesn't mean you have to choose an unmedicated birth. If you're giving birth in a hospital, a midwife can continue caring for you if you choose an epidural or other pain management. An anesthesia professional would administer the epidural.

What happens if my pregnancy becomes high-risk?

Pregnancy can change, and sometimes more expertise or monitoring becomes necessary. Midwives are trained to recognize when consultation, referral, or a higher level of care is needed.

Depending on your circumstances, your midwife may continue caring for you alongside an OB/GYN or maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Your care may be transferred to another provider. Your care team can help determine the safest approach for you and your baby.

OB/GYN, midwife, or doula: What's the difference?

An OB/GYN is a doctor who specializes in reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. They can manage routine and complex pregnancies and perform surgery, including C-sections.

A midwife is a healthcare provider specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Depending on their credentials, they may also provide reproductive and gynecologic care. Midwives don't perform C-sections, although some may assist during the procedure.

A doula is a nonmedical support professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support. Doulas don't perform exams, diagnose conditions, deliver babies, or provide other clinical care.

These roles aren't always either/or. Midwives and OB/GYNs often work together, and you can have both a midwife and a doula on your birth team.

Questions to ask when choosing a midwife

Finding the right provider means considering their qualifications. It's also about whether their approach feels like a good fit for you. You may want to ask them:

• What are your credentials and training?
• Where do you attend births?
• Who will care for me if you're unavailable?
• What pain management options are available?
• Who do you work with if I need more medical care?
• What postpartum care do you provide?

There's no single type of provider that's right for everyone. Your health, pregnancy, preferred birth setting, and personal preferences can all help you decide what kind of care is right for you.

Progyny is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.