What Is a Midwife? Do You Need One?

Sources indicate that the first record of midwifery goes as far back as the 2nd century, and it is also most likely true that your grandmother had a midwife deliver her children. What is a midwife?

A midwife is someone who provides support during the labor and delivery process. A midwife is trained in prenatal care, nutrition for the pregnant woman, and other women’s health care. If a midwife- assisted delivery has some complications (such as unexpected twins or breech presentation), these can usually be handled by the midwife, but some situations call for transfer to the hospital for a doctor’s care. Some midwives do prenatal visits in their home offices, others work in hospitals or birthing centers.

Unlike in the earlier centuries, the midwifery model of care in today’s society is a field of practice among women who seek accreditation and formalized education. Yet midwives do not administer drugs, but treat birth as a normal process, an event in a woman’s life, not a medical emergency.

[ad#ad-2] There are three types of midwives: direct entry (also called “lay” midwife), nurse-midwives, and certified nurse-midwives (CNM). What is the difference? Direct entry midwives receive certification after training, usually in an apprenticeship with another midwife. On the other hand, nurse-midwives complete a set of requirements, graduate from a university which has a midwifery education program, and complete a national certification exam. In addition, they must also have a bachelor of arts degree. The certified nurse-midwife or CNM must complete an accredited nursing program, become licensed as a registered nurse, and then complete a program in nurse-midwifery from an accredited institution.

Do you need a midwife? That depends on your birth plan. If you want a home birth, look into hiring a direct entry midwife to attend you. Choose a CNM if you want an unmedicated vaginal birth in a hospital. Midwife care has that feminine touch that so many women prefer when they’re in labor.

When choosing a midwife, ensure she has the proper credentials. For a direct entry midwife this would mean how many years she has been in practice, or what type of certification she has. Midwives who attend home births likely won’t file insurance for you; you will need to pay them for their services directly. You might want to check with your insurance company to ascertain if they cover you for a home birth. Some do.

Midwives tend to be more attentive to the laboring mom, staying with her during most if not all of her labor, helping her assume comfortable positions for labor and birth, and supporting her wishes. Since the beginning of time, women have supported birthing women. This may be the right choice for your birth, too.

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