Choosing the midwife care model means selecting an approach that focuses on personalized support, fewer interventions, and active participation in your birthing experience. It can be a wonderful option for people with low-risk, healthy pregnancies — but circumstances can change quickly, and it’s normal to wonder what will happen if you end up needing a C-section.
At OB‑GYN Associates of Marietta, our team includes both experienced certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and OB/GYNs. This integration means that if circumstances change during your pregnancy, labor, or delivery, you won’t have to shift practices or start over.
Instead, your midwife and doctor coordinate your care together from prenatal visits to post-partum recovery. Here’s how it works.
There are many reasons a cesarean may be recommended. Sometimes, issues develop during pregnancy and a planned C-section is necessary, and sometimes, problems develop during labor that make an emergency C-section the best option. Even if your pregnancy starts low-risk, it’s wise to consider these possibilities ahead of time because things can change quickly.
A planned C-section (either elective or medical) means that your procedure is scheduled at a specific time before you go into labor. You might need a planned C-section if you have a prior uterine surgery, placenta issues (like placenta previa), certain fetal positions (like breech or transverse), maternal medical conditions, multiples (twins, triplets), or other concerns flagged during prenatal care.
An emergency C-section happens when labor or delivery doesn’t proceed as expected, putting either the mother’s health or the baby’s health, or both, at risk. Some examples are stalled labor, fetal distress (changes in the baby’s heart rate), umbilical cord compromise, placental abruption, excessive bleeding, or maternal instability.
At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, we understand that no two pregnancies are alike — and that’s why we take a combined approach to care. If you begin pregnancy with a midwife (ideal for low-risk, healthy pregnancies) but risk factors emerge, we’ll transition you smoothly to physician-led delivery planning.
When you choose midwifery at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, your CNM meets with you regularly to monitor your pregnancy, help you develop your birth preferences, and track your health and your baby’s growth. If no complications arise, you can expect to continue working with your CNM through labor and delivery.
But if we identify risk factors that indicate you may need a C-section, your CNM and our OB/GYN physicians start collaborating. We discuss your medical history, lab results, ultrasound findings, and preferences to ensure everyone is aligned, and then develop a personalized plan tailored to your needs.
If you labor with your CNM and the process goes as expected, they may lead your delivery from start to finish. If a C-section becomes necessary (whether it’s planned or emergent), your OB/GYN physician is available and ready.
Because we practice in a shared system, your physician knows your full history, your care team knows your preferences, and the handoff is seamless. You won’t have to repeat your story or lose continuity of care.
After your baby arrives, your CNM stays involved in your post-partum care, whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section. They offer breastfeeding support and help you navigate the transition to motherhood.
If you had a C-section, your OB/GYN will check your surgical recovery, wound healing, and any complications, while your midwife continues with your emotional support and education. This dual-provider model allows you to benefit from the expertise and continuity of care you deserve.
If you’re concerned that you might need a C-section, the best thing to do is talk to your care team. Ask about your risk profile — healthy, low-risk pregnancies are excellent candidates for midwife-led care, but medical or fetal factors may change that assumption. Our team can monitor key indicators and involve physicians when appropriate.
Ask about C-section rates, reasons, and procedures. Your CNM and physician can discuss how often C-sections occur, the circumstances that prompt them, and how they are addressed in our practice. By selecting a practice that offers both low-intervention midwife care and advanced OB/GYN surgical options, you’ve already set yourself up for flexibility and safety.
At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, our midwives and physicians collaborate every day to deliver supportive, safe, individualized care. If you’re ready to learn more, schedule a consultation and explore how our blended model of midwife-led pregnancy care, with full physician backup, provides both experience and flexibility for whatever your birth journey brings.
