The individual reproductive needs of women are the focus of a midwife. A midwife offers a variety of options. Unnecessary interventions are sought to be eliminated or minimized. Pregnancy and birth are life processes that are normal for women.
Throughout the cycle of childbearing, a midwife monitors a mother’s psychological, physical and social well-being. The mother is provided with individualized prenatal care, counseling, and education. Continuous hands-on assistance and support are provided during labor, delivery and after birth. Technological interventions are kept at a minimum. Women are identified, who require obstetrical attention, and referred to the proper health care professionals.
The expert care a midwife provides during labor, delivery and post mortem is a specialty that makes him or her unique. A Wikipedia article defines a midwife as an obstetrical professional who is normally a woman, but can be a man. An array of other women health services is also provided. A midwife can prescribe medications, offer contraceptive counsel, conduct gynecological exams and gather medical histories.
Licensing and certification credentials in each state somewhat dictate the services a midwife can provide. The additional nursing license a nurse-midwife has means the most comprehensive women’s health care services are being offered. Along with services already mentioned, we also talked with Northside Women’s Specialists who added, “a midwife’s services include preconception care, prenatal care, newborn care and menopausal management. Reproduction, exercise and nutrition, fertility, pregnancy health and quality infant care education is generally provided. A midwife is often an economical birthing care option.”
Types of Midwives
Comprehensive training and certification examinations are part of becoming a midwife who is a qualified health care provider. Either the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) or the (ACNM) American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) offer certification for a midwife. Related practices and credentials of midwifery differ throughout the US.
· Certified Nurse-Midwife – This individual is trained in both midwifery and nursing. ACNM grants certification. At least a bachelor’s degree is held that was earned from a higher education institution.
· Certified Professional Midwife – The NARM sets the practice standards for the individual trained in midwifery.
· Direct-Entry Midwife – This is an individual who is trained in midwifery through various sources that include a college or university, a midwifery school, apprenticeship and self-study.
· Certified Midwife – This person has training and certification in midwifery. A certified midwife possesses a BS degree from a higher education institution and is certified by the ACNM.
· Lay Midwife – Training is done informally through apprenticeships or self-study. No license or certification has been granted to a lay midwife.
Where Practice is Conducted
A midwife believes natural childbirth should be facilitated as much as possible. It is very common for care to be provided at the client’s home or a comfortable and private birthing center. Te expertise and professionalism of a midwife is often shared with a local hospital’s team from labor and delivery. As stated on one education portal, mothers have the choice of a midwife’s services whether they elect hospital, birthing center or home delivery.
Benefits
Women elect using a midwife in order to experience the most natural childbirth possible. Available payment options are another reason for the choice. Sliding scales, payment plans, and acceptance of most insurance, which includes Medicaid, is often offered.
Peter Schlenzka, conducted a doctoral research and learned the following benefits result from choosing natural delivery and nurse-midwife services.
• Maternity costs were lower
• Reduced morbidity and mortality related to interventions such as C-sections
• Lower intervention rates
• Fewer complications during recovery
Concerns
For anticipated complications, a hospital setting is recommended. Professionals, trained to handle complications that affect the baby or mother, such as perinatologists and obstetricians are more conveniently accessed.
