Midwife vs OBGYN: Key Differences in Training, Scope, and Career Paths

Choosing between midwifery and obstetrics and gynecology is about more than career titles—it’s about how you want to support women through one of life’s most transformative experiences. Both professions play critical roles in pregnancy, childbirth, and women’s health, but they differ significantly in training, clinical responsibilities, and patient care approaches.

Understanding the Role of a Midwife

What Does a Midwife Do?

Midwives specialize in providing care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. They also support women's general health needs, including birth control prescriptions, annual gynecologic exams, and menopause management. Their philosophy often centers on holistic, patient-centered care and minimal medical intervention.

Where Midwives Work

Midwives practice in a variety of settings—from hospitals to birthing centers to home environments. Some focus solely on natural births with minimal use of technology, while others assist in more traditional clinical settings. Their flexibility in practice makes midwifery an appealing career for students who value personalized care.

Types of Midwives

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)

• Registered nurses with master’s degrees in nursing
• Certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board
• Practice in hospitals, clinics, and birthing centers
  
  

Certified Midwives (CMs)

• Hold a master’s degree in midwifery (but are not nurses)
• Certified through the American Midwifery Certification Board
• Offer similar services as CNMs with some practice limitations
  
  

Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)

• Not required to have a college degree
• Trained through midwifery programs and certified by the North American Registry of Midwives
• Primarily attend home births or work in out-of-hospital settings

A Midwife’s Approach to Care

Midwives emphasize natural and low-intervention births. They often build strong relationships with their clients through personalized prenatal visits, emotional support, and home-based care. Pain medication and labor induction are used less frequently in midwifery-led births.

At Go Elective, students shadow midwives who practice in community hospitals and clinics, gaining hands-on insight into their nurturing, community-focused care model.

What is an OBGYN?

Scope of Practice

OBGYNs, or obstetrician-gynecologists, are fully trained physicians who specialize in reproductive health, pregnancy, labor, and delivery. They can provide the same services as midwives—plus advanced medical care such as C-sections, surgical procedures, and high-risk pregnancy management.

Training Requirements for OBGYNs

OBGYNs complete:

• A four-year medical degree (MD or DO)
• A four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology
• Optional fellowships for subspecialization
  
  

Board-Eligible vs Board-Certified

• Board-Eligible OBGYNs: Completed medical training and eligible to sit for board exams
• Board-Certified OBGYNs: Passed rigorous exams and clinical evaluations through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

When an OBGYN is Essential

Unlike midwives, OBGYNs are trained to handle complicated pregnancies, multiple births, emergency deliveries, and surgical interventions. They are the primary care providers for patients with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or high-risk pregnancy histories.

Midwife vs OBGYN: How to Choose

Factors to Consider

• Education and Training: OBGYNs require more years of schooling and post-graduate training.
• Scope of Practice: Midwives focus on natural birth and wellness; OBGYNs manage both normal and complex pregnancies.
• Clinical Setting: Midwives often work in home or community settings; OBGYNs typically work in hospitals and clinics.
• Emergency Care: Midwives refer patients with complications to OBGYNs, who are equipped to handle surgical and critical care needs.

Shared Values in Women’s Health

What Midwives and OBGYNs Have in Common

Both are dedicated to:

• Supporting healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries
• Educating patients about reproductive health
• Prioritizing the well-being of mother and baby
• Respecting birth plans and informed consent

In many collaborative care models, midwives and OBGYNs work side by side—midwives providing routine care and OBGYNs stepping in for medical complexities.

Salary Differences: Midwife vs OBGYN

Average Annual Earnings

• Certified Nurse-Midwife: Around $120,000 (varies by state and setting)
• OBGYN: Typically $250,000–$350,000 or more

While compensation is significantly higher for OBGYNs, so are the educational and time investments required. Career satisfaction often depends on your desired work-life balance, clinical intensity, and scope of practice.

Global Health and Clinical Exposure

Shadowing Midwives Abroad

Not sure which path suits you best? Go Elective offers midwifery internships abroad in East Africa. You’ll shadow local midwives, participate in maternal health clinics, and observe prenatal and postnatal care.

This immersive experience helps you:

• Understand midwifery in resource-limited settings
• Compare models of care between midwives and OBGYNs
• Clarify your interest in women’s health careers

Learn more about our Midwifery Internships abroad and how they help shape the next generation of global maternal health leaders.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Path

Becoming a midwife or an OBGYN is about more than credentials—it’s about how you want to serve. Midwives focus on personalized, low-intervention care, while OBGYNs are trained for complex, high-acuity scenarios.

Whether you’re leaning toward the natural care approach of midwifery or the full medical scope of obstetrics and gynecology, gaining real-world exposure through clinical internships is the best way to make an informed decision.

Considering a future in maternal health? Apply today for Go Elective’s clinical internships and start building the career that’s right for you.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 14, 2025