Births usually take place in a nearby hospital. In some practices, the nurse-midwives also attend home births, or do home births only, with a consulting physician available. Private practices owned by physicians who employ nurse-midwives . This increasingly popular model for practice allows women flexibility in choosing a doctor or nurse-midwife. A woman whose pregnancy is healthy and normal could receive all of her care from a nurse-midwife.
Women generally give birth in a hospital.
Birth Centers owned by nurse-midwives, physicians, or a hospital. Women receive prenatal care and give birth at the center, which may be free-standing or part of a hospital. Nurse-midwives are the main caregivers at most birth centers, with consultation and referral available from physicians who have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Nurse-midwives may be employees of the obstetrical department of faculty members who may help educate physicians in training. Their consulting physicians may also be faculty members.