Every Woman Deserves a Midwife

There seems to be some confusion surrounding the work of midwives in our country. When I mentioned midwife, did anyone picture a witchy woman dressed in rags, maybe on a horse who walks (or gallops) to her charge and narrowly enables the woman to escape death by evoking some kind of preternatural magic? Midwives in our country really don't show on the map: unless you've been blessed enough to witness a midwife at work, probably you're unknowingly ignorant about the true work of a midwife, as well as the incredible difference she can make for women.

Firstly, let me preface this article by mentioning that when I say "midwife" I mean a practitioner who despite social, political or occupational pressure truly stays "with woman." The lines are blurred between Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). Despite the sometimes stark inequities between the two, they are in the same place essentially-They are completely with women for pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. This article is not addressing the current schism playing out within the midwifery community; indeed, I hope that eventually the in-fighting will be recognized for what it is: fighting among sisters.

The truth is-EVERY woman deserves a midwife. This is not to say that every woman can have a midwife exclusively. Indeed, some women do fall into the care of the surgically skilled obstetrician. The WHO estimates that worldwide about 10% of pregnant women need a surgeon (OB) to give birth. (I still think those women deserve a "midwife" in the guise of an OB.)

Does using a midwife mean that you have to give birth at home? Surely not, as many women who have birthed in a hospital could attest, but you can if you choose. Does using a midwife mean you must go pain medication free? Again, I call to the masses to debunk this one. No, you don't have to, but if you want to she can help you make it happen.

So, why use a midwife? Picture your last OB appointment. Feel rushed? Wonder when you were going to be able to ask your questions? Feel like you needed to move on because he or she had something more important to do? Certainly this doesn't describe every OB, but from the women I've spoken to, it seems that this is the consensus. Midwives try hard to meet every woman where they need to be met. For some women this means that they need 45 minutes to discuss the trauma of their last birth. For some, it means being able to have their children involved. Still others need to feel like their partner is a crucial piece to their birth puzzle. The Midwifery Model of Care ( http://cfmidwifery.org/mmoc/define.aspx ) helps to ensure that each woman is an individual, with whom to be dealt gently and with much respect. Midwives also aim to provide the birth you've envisioned, while still protecting the boundaries of evidence-based safety.

Midwifery is about choice. Lovely, perfect choice.