Should You Use a Midwife?

In a New York Times article, one woman explained that giving birth with a doctor involved too many drugs, too many machines, and most likely, too many men. Her opinion is part of a growing consensus of women that are using midwifes during the pregnancy and birthing experience.

Women have several options when it comes to finding a healthcare provider to help with the management of their pregnancy, labor and birth. There is an obstetrician, a family practitioner, and a midwife. Today, an increasing number of women are interested in delivering their child with the help of a midwife.

For many years, midwives were associated with images of rural areas and bygone days. Today, the midwife is making a comeback. The new crop of midwives that is emerging is shattering stereotypes and causing people to rethink the benefits of midwifery.

When choosing a private midwife, the new mommy should consider the training of their midwife. Certified nurse-midwives have a nursing degree. They may also have other training in midwifery. However, not every midwife has a nursing degree, although those that are not degreed usually only care for low risk pregnancies. Having a midwife that is trained, certified, and licensed places the mother and baby at less risk. In the year 2000, a midwife without proper training injected a pregnant woman with labor-inducing drugs and caused the child to be stillborn. In 2003, midwifery came under fire again when an unlicensed practitioner was sued for her role in the home birth of a brained-damaged baby boy. A trained and experienced midwife reduces the risk of fatalities and injuries.

One of the most prominent advantages to using a midwife is the personal attention that is involved in the care, labor and delivery of the child. A midwife will be there during most of the labor and can provide new mothers with a significantly higher level of emotional support than most medical doctors can provide. Some doctors simply check on a patient a few times during labor and only become fully attentive once the delivery is underway. However, a midwife can keep an expectant and continuous eye on the delivery process.

One of the most important decisions for many women who are about to have a baby is where the birth will take place. One benefit of using a midwife is the ability to birth at home. Many women report that having a baby at home provides a more comfortable and less traumatic experience than a hospital birth. More expectant mothers are beginning to understand the wholesomeness of delivering at home as a new mother instead of as a new patient.

For some, the comfort of being able to walk around and stay in a familiar environment increases the chance of having a positive birth experience. However, having a baby at home is not always ideal. Women with pre-existing conditions such as toxemia and preterm labor should consider a hospital option. Also, it is still possible to encounter risks with a home birth without previously having any problems.

Birthing centers are also an option for mothers interested in using a midwife. A birthing center is a healthcare facility that is staffed by a number of midwives. In a birthing center, mothers should expect a relaxed and warm setting. Many pregnant women may choose a birthing center if they are expecting multiples or have a medical condition such as diabetes or preeclampsia.

Finally midwives do not view labor as a "medical condition" but as a natural and beautiful 9-month process. Mothers that use midwives often agree that childbirth should not be considered a medical emergency. A midwife understands that a woman's body was created for birthing. They also understand that the medical tools and drugs that are used in today's modern births can sometimes cause more harm than good.