What is the difference between obstetrics and gynecology and what can midwives do?

Surgery: Both mid wive and obgyns can delivery low risk pregnancies and do well women exams. An obgyn can do what mid wives can plus high risk pregnacies and surgical procedure as well as some more specialized procedures.

Midwives are not MD: Midwives are mid-level providers, like a nurse practitioner for example. They are not doctors and will need them in case an emergency arises. They are skilled providers who can deliver normal, uncomplicated pregnant patients.

Midwives: Midwives take care of routine low risk pregnant woman and perform routine vaginal deliveries under the supervision of an obstetrician. They should not take care of problem pregnancies and cannot do c/sections or instrumental deliveries ( forceps or vacuum extractions). These may become necessary in a routine labor and delivery, which is why a midwife needs an obstetrician backup all the time.