If a woman is looking to have a natural childbirth, a midwife may be the best choice for her. A midwife is a health care professional that can provide the woman with a variety of health care services and will attempt to minimize unneeded interventions. A midwife is trained and/or certified to give a woman the correct care during the entire pregnancy. The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) and the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) offer certification.
Midwives do routinely consult with obstetricians and will refer a woman to a doctor if complications arise. If complications are anticipated, the midwife will tell the woman to have a back-up hospital chosen that will give her easy access to obstetricians and more quality care. Midwives are recommended for a woman that has a low-risk pregnancy. Sixty to 80 percent of all pregnancies are low-risk. Any woman that has had a loss of a pregnancy or complications during a previous pregnancy should take into consideration all factors before deciding on a midwife.
Services Provided
The care services provided will vary within each state because of practice restrictions, certification and licensing. Some services that may be included are:
- family planning and preconception care.
- prenatal care.
- labor and delivery support.
- newborn care.
- annual gynecological exams.
- reproductive education, i.e. fertility and breastfeeding.
Benefits
Using a midwife instead of a conventional obstetrician can yield some benefits.
- The childbirth process will be as natural as possible, often delivering the baby at home or at a birthing center chosen by the woman.
- Midwives are seen as an economical option because maternity care costs are lower.
- Reduced mortality related to a cesarean (C-section).
- Lower intervention rates.
- Fewer recovery complications.
Types of Midwives
- Certified Nursing Midwife: She is trained and licensed in nursing and midwifery. She will possess at least a bachelor's degree and is certified by the ACNM.
- Certified Professional Midwife: She is trained in midwifery and meets practice standards of the NARM.
- Direct-Entry Midwife: She is independently trained in midwifery through self-study, apprenticeship, midwifery school or a college or university program.
- Certified Midwife: She is trained and certified in midwifery and possesses at least a bachelor's degree. She is certified by the ACNM.
- Lay Midwife: She is not certified or licensed, but trained informally through self-study or apprenticeship.
Model of Care
Birth is a natural human process and the philosophy of care of midwives is called the Model of Care. It includes:
- Monitoring the woman's well-being.
- Minimizing technological interventions.
- Identifying and referring a woman who needs an obstetrician's attention.
- Providing the woman with counseling, prenatal care, assistance while in labor and delivery and postpartum support.
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