The term midwife has different connotations to it, even today. Some people have a vision of an older woman with herbs and strange sayings. That is not the reality of a modern midwife. There are far more details to consider about midwifery today.
A midwife is a specialist for women's health. They are trained to assist healthy women through labor, delivery, and after birth. In addition, they can educate patients, provide checkups, and help develop a birth plan. Midwives can deliver babies in homes or at birthing centers. Midwives can also deliver babies in hospitals. According to Healthline, Certified Professional midwives attend about 92% of out-of-hospital births. Midwives are ideal for women that do not have complications with their pregnancy.
Those in midwifery have backgrounds in nursing but use a more holistic approach to women's health care. Women that would like support for their physical and emotional health might consider a midwife. This could include using relaxation techniques instead of utilizing pain medications. A midwife spends more time with patients, which results in more personal care as well as longer appointments. Midwives provide education to patients to enable them to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. They can provide healthcare for women of all ages, starting with puberty and all the way through menopause. This makes midwives the ideal option for women who are in good health and want more personal care. They tend to be popular with women that are interested in natural births with low to no intervention.
Most midwives are present only for low-risk pregnancies. This means that the mom is healthy and has no real complications present. Examples of what would switch you from a low-risk to a high-risk pregnancy include gestational diabetes, multiple births, high blood pressure, or other health concerns. Any condition that could lead to complications puts you in the high-risk category. Midwifery is intended for low-risk situations.
A midwife is focused on helping you receive the best care you can while realizing your dream of a natural, more holistic birth. If this sounds like the type of birth you would like to have, reach out to a midwife today to schedule a consultation.
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