Which specialist performs vaginal delivery?

Midwives are trained to support pregnancy, labour and vaginal birth, monitor you and the baby, and recognise changes that need further review. An obstetrician is a doctor specialising in pregnancy and birth and may become involved when there are medical conditions, concerns about labour progress, fetal wellbeing or a need for assisted birth. The exact team depends on your health, the pregnancy and the maternity setting. Other staff may help with pain relief, newborn care or urgent treatment.

During antenatal visits, ask who will be available in your chosen birth setting and how you can contact the maternity unit. Discuss your preferences for movement, monitoring, pain relief and support people, while leaving room for the plan to change if assessment shows a concern. Share previous pregnancy records, medical conditions, medicines and allergies with the team.

Contact your maternity unit for regular painful contractions, leaking fluid, vaginal bleeding, reduced fetal movement or concerns about your health. Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, severe breathlessness or feeling suddenly very unwell. The maternity team can tell you when to attend and what to bring.

Ask who is likely to lead your birth, which situations bring an obstetrician into the room, how monitoring works, what pain relief is available, and how urgent decisions are made.