Who provides prenatal care
ACOG says prenatal care can be given by:[2]
- ob-gyns, who care for most people;[2]
- maternal-fetal medicine specialists, for high-risk pregnancies;[2]
- family medicine doctors and midwives, for pregnancies at average risk.[2]
ACOG suggests asking a primary care clinician whether they also deliver babies.[2]
The American College of Nurse-Midwives says midwives provide care in pregnancy, childbirth and after birth, and also offer gynecologic and primary care and newborn care for the first 28 days.[3]
Things to think about
MedlinePlus lists where you would like to give birth as one thing to think about when choosing a provider.[1]
ACOG says you may need extra visits if you have a medical condition or are 35 or older.[2]
ACOG says the ideal time to start prenatal care is before 10 weeks after your last period.[2]
Questions families ask
What is the difference between an OB-GYN and a midwife?
ACOG says ob-gyns care for most people, while family medicine doctors and midwives care for pregnancies at average risk.[2]
Can a family doctor deliver my baby?
ACOG suggests asking your primary care clinician whether they also deliver babies.[2]
Free from UpOnly Learning. Written for families of every faith. No outside ads and no affiliate links. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below. How we source and review these pages
Updated 2026-10-24: first published.
Sources
All sources were opened and checked on the date shown.
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Choosing the right health care provider for pregnancy and childbirth. Checked October 24, 2026.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Prenatal Care. Checked October 24, 2026.
- American College of Nurse-Midwives. About Midwifery. Checked October 24, 2026.