Choosing Your Birth Team - Medical Practitioner
An important part of your birth team is the one that will look after your medical needs. And because that impacts where you’ll give birth, the sooner we have this conversation the better.
Medical practitioners have access to specific locations based on their medical training. Whether you choose to give birth at a specific hospital, want to give birth at home or be supported at a birth centre, the practitioner you hire will influence what is possible. This article reviews the pros and considerations when deciding who should be on your team.
Options in Ontario
Midwives:
Focus on holistic, continuous care from pregnancy through 6 weeks postpartum
No referral needed— which means you must inquire directly to each clinic
Publicly funded in most provinces — which means they fill up quickly too
Spend more time per visit (30–60 minutes)
Prioritize informed choice and client-led decision-making
Obstetricians (OBs):
Specialists in high-risk pregnancy and surgical birth
Available by referral from your family doctor or walk-in clinic
Deliver in hospital only
Shorter, more clinical visits
Best for complex pregnancies or those who feel safest with medical oversight
Family Physicians:
Some are trained to attend low-risk births
More common in smaller communities or rural areas
Offer continuity of care if they’re also your regular doctor
Limited availability depending on region
Each practitioner brings with them a different skillset to consider. What matters most is where and with who do you feel safest, supported, and informed. You can interview as many practitioners as you desire until you feel peace with who would be a good fit for your team. Again, it may be helpful to also read Birthing Locations in Ontario to help make an informed decision.
As you are building your birth team, it’s important to remember you are the expert of your body and your baby. If you're unsure which path to take, speak with your doula or care provider.
You're not in this alone.
