What is Midwifery?
The Benefits of choosing a midwife can be significant
Midwives and doulas are often compared and share many similarities. Midwifery aims to give expecting birthing women with low risk an experience with a medical professional through a heightened level of care. They can address your physical needs and your emotional needs as well.
What is a midwife?
According to WebMD, “A midwife is a trained health professional who helps healthy women during labor, delivery, and after the birth of their babies.” They receive certifications based on certain levels of training. For example, a midwife can be licensed or not and have apprenticeship experience. Nurses can also be midwives with training through midwifery programs. Either way, they all have the same goal of assuring that women’s pregnancies flow as expected with comfort and care.
Midwives duties include:
- Provide care and preparation for the entire family
- Perform prenatal exams and order necessary tests
- Observe your mental and physical health
- Give you advice regarding ways to stay physically healthy when it comes to diet, exercise, and supplements
- Provide emotional support before, during, and after labor
- Deliver babies
- Consult with physicians to ensure you’re healthy
Why is having a midwife beneficial?
Midwives have been proven to increase women’s chances of breastfeeding. This is crucial considering many women struggle upon the first attempt to breastfeed. They have the knowledge to address your concerns and needs. Their care leads to lower c-sections, induced labor, and tearing during childbirth. Midwives can also help you understand what birthing option may be best for you and your baby.
If you are an expecting mother considering what type of support would be helpful during childbirth, considering midwifery care could result in just the delivery experience you are looking for.