In the modern American context, midwives are men and women trained in attending and assisting during childbirth, and are experts in women's health. We specialize in normal pregnancy and provide prenatal and postpartum care for parents and infants. Most midwives promote healthy pregnancies, support a natural childbirth experience, and engage in minimal intervention. Obstetricians are physicians specialized in illnesses related to childbirth and in surgical birthing techniques, and may view birth as a process that requires mangement and more active intervention. Midwives are trained to recognize and to handle certain situations considered abnormal, but also refer to obstetricians when a situation is outside our area of expertise.