Honest Talk About the Midwifery Model of Care
What the Midwifery Model of Care Really Means
At its heart, the midwifery model of care is a philosophy of health and birth rooted in the belief that pregnancy and birth are normal, physiological processes rather than medical events. It centers respect for human dignity, partnership with the birthing person, continuity of care, empowerment, and holistic attention to emotional, cultural, spiritual and physical dimensions.
What Makes Midwifery Care Feel Different
Your midwife gets to know you as a person and not just as a chart or list of risk factors. This includes your family - so your partner and any other children you may already have. You’ll be holistically supported physically, emotionally, and even socially through the whole experience.
Prenatal visits are longer, more relational, and often happen at your house or in a cozy space. These visits are for questions, education, and real conversation about your hopes, fears, and what’s unfolding in your body. Of course, they will also check yours and baby’s health, but pregnancy and birth preparation feels so much deeper when you’re able to have that personal relationship with your care provider.
During labor, you’ll have continuous, hands-on support. Your midwife isn’t just there to catch the baby, they’re present with you throughout the experience. They support your birthing goals with deep trust in the process, while staying attuned to any risks or changes that may need attention along the way.
You won’t be rushed into interventions. The focus is on letting your birth unfold naturally, while still having the wisdom to know when extra support or a transfer is needed.
Most importantly, you are the expert. Your midwife walks alongside you, not ahead of you. Your choices are heard. Your instincts are trusted.
“Isn’t an OB Just What You Do?”
For many people, choosing an OB-GYN for pregnancy and birth feels automatic, it’s what your mom did, your friend did etc. It’s the default in our American culture, and often the only model of care that gets talked about. But what most don’t realize is that birth falls into two very different frameworks: the medical model and the midwifery model of care.
These models aren’t about setting, they come from completely different philosophies about pregnancy, birth, and the role you play in your own birth experience. Understanding the differences can help you choose the kind of support that actually matches your values and vision.
The Medical Model of Care (OB-GYN–Led)
This is the most common route in the U.S. Always hospital-based, physician-led, and structured around the idea that birth is a medical event.
Pregnancy and birth are approached as potentially risky, with an emphasis on identifying and managing what could go wrong, hopefully before it does.
Intervention is common. Things like inductions, continuous monitoring, epidurals, and cesarean births are often routine, sometimes even when not medically necessary.
Care is often fragmented. You may see one provider for prenatal visits, a different one during birth, and someone else entirely postpartum. Visits are short and not holistic.
The system is designed for efficiency. Standardized protocols, limited time with providers, and a focus on managing outcomes in a clinical setting.
This model can absolutely be life-saving when medical needs arise but for many low-risk pregnancies, it can feel impersonal or intervention-heavy.
While the midwifery model centers trust, continuity, and the belief that birth is a normal, physiological process, the medical model often views birth as something to manage or control. Knowing which model aligns with your values can completely change your birth experience.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Choosing between the midwifery model and the medical model of care isn’t about what’s “better” it’s about what’s right for you. That decision is deeply personal, and the best place to start is by getting honest about your priorities, your past experiences, and your deepest hopes for this birth.
Here are some thoughtful questions to guide you. After answering, try putting your responses in order of priority because what matters most to you should guide your care.
What feels most important to me in this birth?
Emotional safety, physical safety, or both equally? This can help clarify whether you're seeking high-level medical backup or a deeply connected, supportive relationship throughout.
Do I carry fears or trauma from a previous birth?
For some, being close to a NICU or in a hospital setting feels grounding. For others, avoiding that environment is a step toward healing. Acknowledge your birth story and what it made you feel, so you can identify what types of support would be supportive for you.
Did I feel seen, heard, and supported in my last pregnancy and birth or was something missing?
If the missing piece was emotional support, time to ask questions, or consistency in providers, that can point clearly toward midwifery care.
How do I want decisions to be made during labor and do I want clear leadership or shared decision-making?
Some feel best with a provider taking the lead; others want to be deeply involved in every choice. Which one feels like support to you?
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All — And That’s Okay
The midwifery model of care may not be the right fit for every situation and that’s completely okay. If you have a higher-risk pregnancy, need ongoing medical interventions, or simply feel most secure in an OB-led hospital setting, the medical model may offer the support you need. Some families even choose a hybrid by seeing midwives in a hospital-based practice. The most important thing is that you make an informed choice, one that feels right for you. Midwifery care often includes collaboration and referral when needed, so safety and support are never mutually exclusive.
At the end of the day, this is your journey. If your heart is drawn to care that sees you as a whole person, not just a patient, then the midwifery model may feel like coming home. It’s about trust, time, relationship, and being at the center of your own story.
Welcome
I’m Lindsey Eden
Doula and birth photographer based in Denver Colorado! Mama of two and passionate believer that documenting the journey of birth can heal and change lives!
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