Your Maternity Care Team

Labor and Delivery Care with OB Hospitalists

Our maternity team includes OB hospitalists, certified nurse midwives (CNMs), nurses, and other specialists who work together to support you throughout labor, delivery, and recovery.

OB hospitalists are board-certified obstetricians who work exclusively in the hospital and are onsite 24/7 to provide hospital-based obstetrical care. In most cases, an OB hospitalist will oversee your labor and delivery care while you are in the hospital.

Certified nurse midwives remain an important part of our maternity team and partner closely with OB hospitalists and OBGYN physicians to provide personalized care throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.

Your OBGYN, certified nurse midwife, and OB hospitalist work together through MyChart, giving your care team access to one shared patient record. Your pregnancy history, care plans, test results, and preferences are available in one place to support coordinated care before, during, and after delivery.

Your prenatal provider remains an important part of your care. Throughout your pregnancy, your OBGYN or certified nurse midwife develops your care plan, answers your questions, and helps prepare you for delivery. When you come to the hospital, the OB hospitalist builds on that plan, working closely with your prenatal provider to support safe, coordinated care during labor and delivery. After your baby is born, you'll continue your care with your regular OBGYN or certified nurse midwife for postpartum follow-up.

What This Means for You

A collaborative maternity care team that includes OBGYNs, certified nurse midwives, OB hospitalists, nurses, and other specialists
Timely access to hospital-based obstetrical care when needed
Continued access to certified nurse midwife services for eligible patients
Clear communication among your office-based and hospital-based care teams
No need to repeat your medical history or birth preferences. They are available through your MyChart record
One patient, one record throughout pregnancy, delivery, and recovery

OB Hospitalist FAQ for Patients

Who will deliver my baby?

In many cases, your labor and delivery care will be managed by an OB hospitalist. OB hospitalists are board-certified obstetricians who specialize in hospital-based obstetrical care and are available throughout your hospital stay.

For patients receiving midwifery care, certified nurse midwives work closely with the OB hospitalist team to support labor and delivery. Together, they provide coordinated care based on your individual needs and birth plan.

What role does my regular prenatal provider play?

Your OBGYN or certified nurse midwife continues to manage your prenatal care and overall pregnancy plan. Throughout your pregnancy, they get to know you, answer your questions, monitor your progress, and help prepare you for delivery.

When you come to the hospital, your prenatal provider works closely with the OB hospitalist team through ongoing communication and shared access to your MyChart record. This allows your hospital care team to build on the plan you've developed together, rather than starting over.

Depending on your clinical needs and circumstances, your OBGYN may also perform cesarean deliveries and selected vaginal deliveries. After delivery, you'll return to your regular OBGYN or certified nurse midwife for postpartum care and ongoing women's health needs.

Will the OB hospitalist know my pregnancy history and birth preferences?

Yes. OB hospitalists have full access to your MyChart record, including prenatal visits, ultrasounds, lab results, and documented birth preferences.

Why does the hospital use OB hospitalists for deliveries?

Having OB hospitalists onsite allows for immediate response during labor and delivery and consistent coverage at all hours. This approach also allows your OBGYN to spend more time with patients in the office and on scheduled procedures.

Are certified nurse midwife services still available?

Yes. Certified nurse midwife services remain an important part of our maternity program. CNMs provide care throughout pregnancy and work closely with OB hospitalists and OBGYN physicians to support patients during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.

This team-based approach allows patients to benefit from both the personalized care of midwifery services and the availability of hospital-based physician support when needed.

Will my care still be documented in one place?

Yes. We follow a one patient, one record approach. All care is documented in MyChart so every provider involved in your care stays informed.