Being pregnant and going through childbirth is a natural part of life. Women have been doing this since the beginning of humanity. In 1900, childbirth was seen as a normal part of the life cycle, and most births were attended at home by midwives and occasionally doctors. With the advent of medicine and technology in Western society, the use of painkillers and anesthetic drugs has increased among pregnant women. During the baby boom generation of the 1940s and 1950s, hospital births became the norm with 80% of women giving birth while sedated or unconscious. The mother gave birth naturally or was completely sedated and gave birth while unconscious. In the 1970s, epidural analgesia became a safer option for women who wanted to be alert and conscious during childbirth but not feel most of the pain associated with labor. Today, maternity care can be provided by midwives, family doctors and certified midwives. . The decision about what type of provider a woman chooses usually depends on her health, medical condition and personal beliefs. Certified nurse midwives who work in a doctor's office also deliver babies in a hospital setting. They provide prenatal care to women during normal pregnancy and work in collaboration with doctors in case of complications. Many women who choose a natural birth method (without the use of drugs) usually choose nurse obstetricians for their maternity care. However, that doesn't mean doctors can't provide the same kind of support. Early in her pregnancy, a woman should interview several health care providers to decide which one will best support their goals. Lincoln Center Topeka midwives Rebecca Otte, CNM and Leslie Arnold, CNM provide low-risk maternity care…middle of the road…as in an environment suited to their birth experience. Women remember each of their children's birth experiences for the rest of their lives. To have a satisfying birth experience, a woman needs to have an open line of communication with her healthcare providers, whether it's the doctor or the nurse in the delivery room. Education also plays a key role in having a natural birth. Attending childbirth classes and reading books will help a woman prepare and make the best decisions possible for her baby. Having a birth plan, whether written or spoken, is a good way to clarify a woman's wishes to her caregivers. Planning and preparation is important, but a woman must always plan for the unexpected and be flexible if the birth does not go exactly as planned. Pregnancies and births are different for everyone and the ultimate goal for healthcare professionals is a healthy mother and baby.