What is the Role of a Midwife?
What is the role of a midwife? This is a common question of pregnant women in the US.
While
midwives
represent the minority of
birth attendants for childbearing women in the US, they are present at
approximately 75% of births in the UK.
The
midwife's role is a complex thing. Here is a sample of her
contributions
to your maternal care and birth experience:
- understands and facilitates normal childbearing
- spreads health and well-being to women and their families
- supports, facilitates and implements the woman's choice
- comprehends the range of normal maternal, fetal and neonatal well-being
- does not implement interventions not based on sound evidence
- can critically evaluate the evidence-base for midwifery knowledge and practice
- diagnoses factors that may adversely affect maternal or fetal well-being and locates appropriate assistance or intervention while providing continued family support
- manages skilled emergency interventions
- assists during bereavement
- is a resource to women and their communities
The
role of a midwife is to make critical decisions about appropriate care
in pregnancy, labor and after the birth. It is a skilled profession
that provides continuous care over several months. You and your midwife
may develop a more effective relationship than would otherwise be
possible with a traditional physician for maternal care. I highly
recommend you consider this option when interviewing potential
caregivers.