what is midwifery?
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A Midwife monitors the physical, psychological and social well-being of the birther throughout the childbearing cycle. Providing individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery and postpartum support, minimizing technological interventions and identifying and referring those who require obstetrical attention.
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" The midwives model of care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.
- MIDWIVES ALLIANCE OF NORTH AMERICA
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Midwives have been assisting birth since the beginning of time. Home has been the normal place of birth until the mid-20th century, and continues to be for much of the world. Statistics from the World Health Organization show that countries where midwives attend as many as 70% of the births have the best outcomes for people and their babies. The resurgence of modern midwifery in the U.S. began in the 1960’s and continues, as people seek alternatives to ever soaring rates of hospital interventions. Before the 1960's, the practice of midwifery was preserved by the "Grannie" or Grand Midwives in the South until they were forced out of practice by white supremacy and the birth industrial complex. |
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Studies repeatedly show that home birth with trained midwives is a safe choice. We believe in birthing at home and the Midwifery Model of Care, developed by the Midwives Alliance of North America, which is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth.
There are different types of midwives practicing in various settings, all are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns. |
The application of this model has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
