I was a parent in Chicago expecting my first child. At the time, people chose either a midwife or an Obstetrician-Gynecologist — but they never really worked together. Things have changed in the years since, and the University of Chicago Medicine is leading the way with a collaborative model that gives parents the best of both worlds.
Instead of choosing between the personalized, holistic approach of a midwife and the medical expertise of an OB-GYN, expectant parents can benefit from both — all within the same care team.
“Our goal is to ensure every patient has a safe, meaningful, and supportive experience,” says Mary Kay Burke, a certified nurse midwife at UChicago Medicine.
What is a midwife, and what is an OB-GYN?
A certified nurse midwife specializes in low-risk pregnancies, focusing on holistic, hands-on care with fewer medical interventions. Many parents choose midwifery for its emphasis on education, emotional support and natural birth preferences.
An OB-GYN is a medical doctor trained to manage both low- and high-risk pregnancies, offering advanced care if complications arise. Parents with pre-existing conditions, multiple pregnancies, or prior cesarean births may require an OB-GYN’s expertise.
“Midwives tend to attract women who want more teaching, more hands-on support and a little bit more presence in labor,” Burke explains. “On the other hand, some people simply prefer the care of a physician — and that’s OK, too.”
How midwives and OB-GYNs work together at UChicago Medicine
At UChicago Medicine, midwives and OB-GYNs work side by side to provide personalized, team-based care. Here, midwives and OB-GYNs collaborate seamlessly, ensuring each patient receives tailored care based on their needs.
This collaboration benefits parents because it improves health outcomes, as well as quality and experience of care, Burke says.
“In this best-practice model, the patient, midwife and physician participate in shared decision-making processes, with each provider acting in accordance with ethical standards for all health professionals,” she explains.
“Many shifts have attending physicians, a midwife and a group of anesthesia providers,” says Burke.
“It’s really like the ‘OB Dream Team.’ Midwives are trained to recognize complications and take immediate action, but if a patient starts with a midwife and needs an OB-GYN, there’s no delay — there’s always a doctor ready to step in. Our collaborative team, which includes nurses and support staff, plays a crucial role in ensuring every patient gets safe, well-rounded care.”
Dr. Maryam Siddiqui, Vice Chair of Clinical Operations for OB-GYN, says the range of expertise, respectful dialogue and compassionate approach toward birth from the entire team are true highlights of the care provided by UChicago Medicine.
“I am so proud of the work we do here to promote healthy births and the expansion of our exceptional midwifery practice is another way to empower our patients to seek out the full range of obstetric experience — from low risk to high risk and find the best partner for their unique journey into parenthood,” says Dr. Siddiqui.
UChicago Medicine midwives and OB-GYNs provide care at multiple locations in Chicagoland, including Orland Park, River East, South Loop and Hyde Park — the home of the Family Birth Center.
Centering Pregnancy — what is it and how does it help?
Beginning in April, UChicago Medicine will offer Centering Pregnancy, a nationally recognized model of group prenatal care. Instead of traditional one-on-one checkups, expectant parents meet in groups of 8–12 families with similar due dates. These two-hour sessions provide important benefits, including:
- Standard prenatal checkups, plus extended education
- A supportive environment to connect with other parents
- Guidance from midwives and healthcare providers
- Lower preterm birth rates, backed by research
“Centering Pregnancy is proven to reduce stress and improve birth outcomes,” says Burke. “It’s an amazing opportunity for parents to build a support system and learn from each other while still getting top-quality prenatal care.”
Common myths about midwives
Despite the growing popularity of midwifery care, many misconceptions exist about what midwives do. Here are some of the most common myths and the facts that debunk them:
- Midwives only deliver babies at home. Fact: 94% of midwives work in hospitals.
- You can’t get an epidural with a midwife. Fact: Midwives at UChicago Medicine fully support pain relief options.
- Midwives only provide maternity care. Fact: They offer extensive well woman care at all life stages from teenage years to post-menopausal.
Choosing the right midwife or OB-GYN for your birth experience
Every parent has different needs, preferences, and medical considerations when choosing between a midwife and an OB-GYN. Burke recommends that expectant parents start by talking with both types of providers to learn about their approach to care, philosophy on birth, and how they handle complications if they arise.
“If you’re pregnant and trying to decide who you want to see, my recommendation would be to talk to a midwife and talk to a physician,” says Burke. “Ask questions. Ask about their philosophies on pregnancy and birth. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your provider and the type of care they offer.”
Because midwives and OB-GYNs at UChicago Medicine work as a team, parents can trust that if their needs change during pregnancy or labor, their provider will coordinate with the care team to ensure the right level of support.
This content is sponsored by UChicago Medicine. Learn more at UChicagoMedicine.org.
MARYAM SIDDIQUI, VICE CHAIR OF CLINICAL OPERATIONS FOR OB-GYN AT UCHICAGO MEDICINE. Among the highlights of working at Uchicago Medicine has been the range of expertise, respectful dialogue, and compassion with which our whole team approaches birth. I am so proud of the work we do here to promote healthy births and the expansion of our exceptional midwifery practice is another way to empower our patients to seek out the full range of obstetric experience – from low risk to high risk and find the best partner for their unique journey into parenthood.
