Secondary Analysis of Maternal Education and Decision of Medical Birth Attendant

Abstract

OB-GYN doctors are more medically trained and capable in high risk or emergency births than most certified midwives, but they do not offer personalized care like midwives. Multiple previous studies have shown that midwives are equally qualified in most situations. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless, it is up to each individual family to choose what kind of care they would like to receive during the pregnancy and labor. The purpose of this study was to find any correlations between maternal education and what medical professional (OB-GYN doctor or certified midwife) mothers choose to deliver their baby, and make inferences as to what accounts for any correlations. Specifically, it is hypothesized that people with a higher education will be more likely to use a midwife because of easier access to educational materials, and because they typically have children later in life and have therefore gathered more information. The results of this study could reveal a need for further research about access to medical care and whether or not people are correctly informed about their choice of medical birth attendant.