Your provider choice is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make for your birth. You can do everything else right — eat well, exercise, prepare mentally and spiritually — but if your provider isn’t aligned with your goals, you may find yourself feeling pressured, unheard, or stuck.

​Firing a provider is never easy, so it’s best to choose wisely from the start. A supportive, like-minded provider can make the difference between a birth filled with peace and one filled with fear.

Did you know midwives were among the first people in Scripture to honor God through their work?

In Exodus 1, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all baby boys at birth. But verse 17 says:

“The midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them.”

And verse 20 adds:

“Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty.”

​Midwives have always stood for life and for God’s design. Maybe that’s why their care still produces such powerful results today.

Countries that use midwives as primary maternity providers have better outcomes — fewer cesareans, lower maternal mortality, and higher satisfaction.

That’s because midwives approach pregnancy as a normal, healthy process, not a medical condition waiting to go wrong. They focus on prevention, education, and trust in the body’s natural ability.

​Even if you need or prefer a hospital birth, midwifery care can still be an option. Many Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) practice in hospitals and work collaboratively with physicians when needed.

When I was pregnant with my first baby — even as a midwifery student — I learned this lesson the hard way. I chose my midwife based on personality and proximity, not alignment or experience.

At 39 weeks, we started disagreeing about whether I had preeclampsia. When I learned her license had expired and fear was guiding her care, I knew I couldn’t stay.

At 41 weeks, I drove five hours to St. Louis to birth with a trusted midwife friend. It was bold (and a little crazy), but it was the right decision. My son was born naturally on my husband’s birthday — a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness.

​I share that story to say: don’t settle. Take the time to choose wisely.

1️⃣ Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)

Registered nurses with a master’s degree in nurse-midwifery

Can practice in hospitals, birth centers, or homes

Provide full-spectrum women’s health care (pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and well-woman visits)

Licensed and certified in all 50 states

➡️ Find a CNM: Visit midwife.org
​ (search “Find a Midwife”) or your state nursing licensure website.

2️⃣ Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)

Trained through hands-on apprenticeship and accredited midwifery programs

Specialize in home and birth center births

Licensed in most states (check your local laws)

Excellent option for low-risk pregnancies seeking a natural birth

➡️ Find a CPM: Visit mana.org/about-midwives/state-by-state
.

3️⃣ Certified Midwives (CMs)

Same education as CNMs but not required to be registered nurses

Recognized in some states (laws vary)

Often practice in hospitals or birth centers

➡️ Find a CM: Search state midwifery boards or directories.

4️⃣ Lay Midwives

Traditionally trained through apprenticeship without formal licensure

Experience can vary widely — some are excellent, others less so

Often serve families with few other options

Should be chosen with prayer, discernment, and care

You research your phone, your car, even your stroller — but nothing impacts your life more than your birth experience. Your provider will shape that experience more than anyone else.

Before you make your choice, pray. Ask your Father to guide you. He knows your needs better than anyone.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” — Proverbs 3:6

If you’re overwhelmed or don’t know where to start, reach out to me at lori@yourbirthgodsway.com
​. I’m building a directory of Christian midwives to help faith-based mamas like you find like-minded care.

God designed your body for this. The right provider will remind you of that truth, not make you doubt it.

Choose a midwife who honors God’s wisdom, respects your instincts, and partners with you in faith.

​You deserve care that aligns with your values — care that reflects His design.