Why Choose a Midwife ?
Midwives are the experts in normal childbearing. The focus of midwifery care is to promote the natural progression of labor and to use obstetrical interventions only when needed. Midwives and physicians have different models of care.
• With the medical model of care, pregnancy and delivery is considered an illness or crisis requiring technology and intervention. Controlling and managing is an essential part in “treating” the conditions of pregnant and birth. It is assumed that each woman is at risk until proven otherwise.
• The midwifery model views pregnancy and birth as a normal and healthy function of a woman’s body. The midwife offers personalized care that puts the woman in charge. Midwives provide extensive information and education, thereby empowering the woman and her family.
Midwives provide holistic care. Midwives are not only concerned with physical health but also with a woman’s emotional and spiritual health. They refer to other health and social service providers when necessary and co-manage care when needed. Other providers may include medical doctors, psychotherapists, homeopathic practitioners, chiropractors, massage therapists, herbalists, oriental medical doctors, acupuncturists, childbirth educators, nutritionists, doulas, hypnotherapists, lactation consultants, and others.
Midwifery care involves the careful use of technology. Midwives believe in the natural ability of each woman to give birth in her own unique way. However, sometimes there are concerns. The midwife maintains professional associations with physicians and other health care providers to ensure that the mother and baby have access to technology and high risk specialists when needed. Midwives refer women to physicians when complications arise.
Midwives improve labor and birth outcomes. National research demonstrates that midwives achieve the same outcomes as physicians without disrupting the natural process of birth as often. Midwives reduce cesarean section rates by more then 50%. When women receive care from midwives they have significantly lower rates of episiotomies, induced labor and forceps births.
Midwifery care is cost effective. Midwifery care reduces costs through the judicious use of technology and tests, lower cesarean section rates, fewer forceps deliveries, etc. Healthy mothers and babies cost less. Compared to a hospital birth, families can lower overall charges. For families that do not have health insurance home birth can save them as much as $6,000.00 per birth.