Midwives: Your Alternative to a Natural Childbirth Experience

In this day and age wherein technology is rapidly flourishing and evolving, it is no surprise that childbirth has reached new levels. Women are empowered to choose what method of delivery they would like to follow during childbirth. Birth Plans were introduced to allow a soon-to-be-mom to somehow create a path or blueprint which she would like to follow when the time comes.

It is always nice to have options, especially when it comes to a situation such as childbirth, which is ridden with pain and at times anxiety or confusion on a would-be-mother's part. It makes you feel that you are in control of how you give birth somehow. Despite how helpful technology has been to us, the rapid rise of technology and addition of new procedures regarding childbirth has allowed the neglect of natural birthing practices.

Such is the case for midwives. These days, people don't really know what a mid-wife is and what sets them apart from doctors.

First of all, a mid-wife is a medical professional that provides healthcare services particularly for women. Mid-wives do not only handle childbirth, they also provide counseling regarding birth control and prescriptions and contraceptive counseling. They are advocates for natural birth and provide a more personal, holistic service regarding childbirth. Most mid-wives prefer to give birth to a child within the safety of the mother's own home, allowing childbirth to be an experience for the whole family.

What are the advantages of getting a midwife rather than a doctor?

1. Personalized Services
Midwives provide more personal attention to their patients than that of a doctor. Since they do not have many patients to attend to all the time, they are able to provide a more personalized service for their clients, especially during pre-natal and post-natal check ups.

2. Natural Birth experience
Since midwives practice the natural method of delivery, they do not use IV's and epidurals or other medication such as that. They will not require you to use any medical procedures and maintain the premise of a natural birth.

3. Budget friendly
Midwives charge less than doctors do, allowing more savings in terms of maternity costs. Since the mid-wives do not use any high tech equipment like a doctor does or have a need to use a high-class facility in a hospital, they do not need to charge more for their services.

Are there any disadvantages of getting a midwife?

1. Worst case scenario
Like everything else in this world, everything has an advantage and disadvantage. One of the disadvantages of getting a midwife instead of a doctor is that a mid-wife will need to refer you to a doctor if an emergency occurs during childbirth. Unlike a doctor, who is an expert in different medical aspects and is fully capable of handling emergency situations.

2. Lack of Pain-Management options during childbirth
Since mid-wives maintain the natural method of childbirth, they cannot provide pain medications to a laboring mother even if she needs it.

3. No Medications
You will have to still consult with your doctor if you need medication, because mid-wives are not authorized to write prescriptions.

Before you make a final decision if you wish to have a doctor or mid-wife to facilitate your delivery, you should first consider the status of your pregnancy. If it is a sensitive pregnancy or 'high risk' pregnancy, the best option is to stick to a doctor and give birth in a hospital, which would be ready for any emergencies that could happen during the pregnancy. You should also put some careful thought on your threshold for pain and if you would be able to survive a natural birthing experience. First time mothers are often recommended to doctors instead of mid-wives because giving birth for the first time is more painful. Either way, doctors and mid-wives have their own set of expertise and advantages, so you can rest assured with whichever you choose.