Choosing an OB/GYN or Midwife

An obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) is the most common caregiver for pregnancy, and midwives are growing in popularity. Norton Healthcare’s midwives are part of our commitment to give all moms-to-be options for the pregnancy experience they want with medical specialists and advanced care at the ready if necessary.

Understand the differences between OB/GYNs and midwives.

OB/GYN

An OB/GYN is a medical doctor who specializes in pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. Norton Healthcare OB/GYNs deliver more babies in Louisville and Southern Indiana than any other provider. Our expertise and personalized care are just two reasons so many parents choose to deliver at Norton Healthcare.

Women who choose an OB/GYN typically have an appointment every four weeks in the first trimester, and as the pregnancy advances, weekly visits begin until delivery day.

These specialists are trained to deal with the entire range of pregnancies, from uncomplicated, low-risk deliveries to many kinds of high-risk deliveries.

Meet the Norton Women’s Care OB/GYNs.

Midwife

Norton Healthcare’s midwifery practice includes certiﬁed nurse midwives who provide comprehensive, family-centered maternity care from the first prenatal visit through labor and delivery, and after the birth of your baby.

Midwives are a good fit for low-risk pregnancies, though they also can assist or refer patients to OB/GYNs for high-risk care.

Despite the holistic approach of midwives, it’s a common misconception that they only oversee natural births. Patients of midwives can choose pain-management options including epidural or nitrous oxide.

See more and classes for new parents.

What to Expect from Norton Women’s Care

More mothers in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose to deliver their babies at Norton Hospital or Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital than with any other hospital system in the area.

We deliver more than 8,000 babies a year. We’re close to you with more than 90 providers at more than 25 locations around Louisville and Southern Indiana. Choosing Norton Women’s Care gives you many options for how delivery day could go — all with the confidence of knowing that our obstetrics and pediatric specialists are there to help. With Norton Women’s Care, you’ll find:

The birth experience you want: You can choose natural childbirth, a midwife, labor tub, nitrous oxide and other birthing options. We’ll recommend a C-section (cesarean section) or induced labor only if it’s medically necessary.
Preparation: Our specialists offer the support you need, including free Lamaze and other childbirth classes, new parent classes, breastfeeding support, child safety classes and more.
Confidence and quality in care: Norton Women’s Care has been recognized as High Performing — the highest rating available — for maternity care with fewer complications and C-sections, plus breastfeeding support and other benefits.
We offer the highest-level (Level IV) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Louisville and Southern Indiana at Norton Children’s Hospital, and a sophisticated Level III NICU at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
Around-the-clock OB/GYN care is available at Norton Hospital and Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital emergency departments.
Our board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialists can help guide you through a high-risk pregnancy, from treating preexisting diabetes in the pregnant patient to a fetal echocardiogram to diagnose a congenital heart condition before a baby is born.
Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans are accepted.
Convenient access to your medical record: Communicate with your health care provider, get lab results, renew prescriptions and more through your free Norton MyChart account.