What Every Expecting Mom Should Know About Choosing Midwifery Care
As a maternity and newborn photographer in the Inland Empire, I work with so many families who are seeking care that’s personal, gentle, and centered around the beautiful journey of pregnancy and birth. One question I hear often from expecting moms is:
“Should I use a midwife?”
If you’re wondering the same thing, you’re not alone and you’re in the right place. Below, I’ve put together a guide to help you understand what midwives do, the types of care they provide, and how to choose one who’s the right fit for your pregnancy.
Every family’s birth preferences are different, and finding the right support matters so much. If you’d like to explore even more trusted providers, I also shared a larger guide featuring some of the best Inland Empire midwives and birth teams local moms recommend.
What Is a Midwife?
A midwife is a trained healthcare provider who specializes in pregnancy, labor, postpartum care, and women’s reproductive health. Some midwives also provide services like:
- Annual wellness exams
- Fertility education
- Birth control counseling
- Support with breastfeeding and postpartum recovery
Unlike OB/GYNs, most midwives don’t attend medical school or perform surgeries but they are experts in natural, low-risk pregnancy care. If you’re hoping for a non-medicated birth or more one-on-one support, a midwife might be the perfect choice.
What Do Midwives Do?
The care you receive depends on your midwife’s training and certification. Certified midwives and certified nurse midwives offer the broadest range of services, including:
- Prenatal appointments and monitoring
- Lab work and ultrasounds
- Attending your birth (at home, in a birth center, or hospital)
- Newborn care and postpartum visits
- Education around nutrition, fertility, breastfeeding, and recovery
- Family planning and gynecological care
Many moms say their midwife made them feel seen, supported, and heard throughout pregnancy.
Choosing a midwife often goes hand-in-hand with creating a more intentional and informed birth experience. If you’re currently thinking through labor preferences, pain management, or delivery options, our Birth Plan Inland Empire guide may help you feel more prepared.
Types of Midwives
Understanding the different types of midwives can help you know what level of care to expect:
- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs): Registered nurses with a graduate degree in midwifery. CNMs are licensed in all 50 states and can work in hospitals, homes, or birth centers. They can prescribe medication and perform diagnostic tests.
- Certified Midwives (CMs): Similar to CNMs but without a nursing degree. CMs are certified but only licensed in select states.
- Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs): Specialize in home or birth center deliveries. They are certified through the North American Registry of Midwives but may have limitations depending on state laws.
- Lay or Traditional Midwives: Not formally licensed or certified. Their training is typically through apprenticeships or informal education, and they often serve families seeking home births.
Midwife vs. OB/GYN – What’s the Difference?
Midwives focus on natural, low-risk care and tend to support minimal intervention. They often build strong relationships with clients and are known for their holistic approach.
OB/GYNs are medical doctors trained to handle high-risk pregnancies, surgical procedures (like c-sections), and complications during birth. Many hospitals offer midwives and OBs working as a team to give you the best of both worlds.
So, which is better? It depends on your preferences, medical history, and birth plan.
Common Questions Moms Ask
Can midwives give epidurals or do c-sections?
No, but they can work alongside physicians and anesthesiologists if you’re delivering in a hospital and choose to have one.
Are midwives safe?
Yes, especially when they’re certified and work in collaboration with OBs. If any complication arises, your care is transitioned safely to the right provider.
What should I ask a midwife before choosing them?
- Where do you attend births?
- What certifications do you have?
- Do you work with any OB/GYNs if complications arise?
- How do you support postpartum recovery?
- Will my insurance cover this care?
Many midwives also partner closely with local birth centers, giving families alternatives to traditional hospital births. If you’re exploring those options, these Inland Empire birth centers are a wonderful place to start researching.
Trusted Midwives in the Inland Empire
If you’re searching for “midwives near me in the Inland Empire,” here are a few respected professionals and centers to explore:
Sacred Birth Midwifery – Redlands, CA
Jennette Bertness, LM, CPM, specializes in personalized home births and prenatal care. Known for her warm, calm energy and evidence-based approach.
Website: sacredbirthmidwifery.com
Inland Empire Homebirth Midwifery – Riverside, CA
A team of certified professionals offering home birth and natural pregnancy care with a strong reputation in the local community.
Website: iehomebirth.com
The Natural Birth Place – Montclair, CA
A beautiful birth center offering water birth, midwife care, and postpartum support.
Website: thenaturalbirthplace.com
Pairing Midwifery with Meaningful Photography
If you’re choosing a midwife, chances are you value a personal, meaningful experience and that’s exactly what I offer with my maternity and newborn sessions.
As your due date gets closer, preparing for labor can start to feel very real. Along with choosing your provider, organizing your hospital bag early can help you feel more calm and ready for delivery day.
I’d love to help you capture this incredible season with portraits that feel just as warm, thoughtful, and sacred as your care team.
Now booking maternity and newborn sessions in Yucaipa, Redlands, Beaumont, and the Inland Empire.
Visit kaitlyndawnphotography.com to learn more.
