Information on Midwifery and Alternative Childbirth

Midwives have been helping women give birth for centuries. Ancient Greek and Roman midwives had some training. Training and certification of midwives is now an established practice in the medical community. As health costs rise, many women are choosing natural childbirth through the assistance of a midwife.

Where Midwives Work

A growing number of women are trusting their prenatal care and deliveries to the capabilities of well-trained and educated midwives. Modern midwives attend and assist in births in hospitals, birth centers, and the home. Many midwives work in private practices.

Qualifications

Many midwives are also Registered Nurses trained in other women's health matters such as gynecological problems, menopause and birth control. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are licensed to practice in all 50 states. CNMs are registered nurses who graduate an program that is accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). CNMs must pass a national exam and graduate from an accredited American College of Nurse-Midwives educational program.

Midwife Services

Midwives monitor the physical and emotional well-being of expectant mothers throughout the pregnancy. They provide information, counseling, prenatal care and assistance during labor and delivery. The assistance a midwife may provide is regulated by state and local regulations, insurance, and hospital policies. Generally, a midwife may provide services to women to manage their pregnancies and assist in a normal vaginal delivery.

Statistics

The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) reported in 2004 there were over 850 Certified Nurse Midwives in the United States, Canada and Mexico. As reported by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, "Certified nurse-midwives attended more than 300,000 of the nation's births in 2002." They further reported, " An independent 1998 study determined that infant and newborn deaths were significantly lower following midwife assisted births."

Considerations

If you are considering using the service of a midwife for your pregnancy and childbirth, you should ask the midwife what backup facilities and interventions are available is complications arise. You should talk to a midwife you are considering using, and make sure you feel comfortable with his/her qualifications. It is also important that your choice is someone with whom you are able to communicate and discuss freely and problems or issues that may arise.

You will want to find out under what circumstances a home birth may not be possible. Also, understand when interventions such as inducing labor, using an epidural, or performing a cesarean may become necessary.

Sources:

http://traditionalmidwife.com/facts.html

http://www.mymidwife.org/about.cfm

http://cfmidwifery.org/midwifery/faq.aspx

http://www.midwiferytoday.com