Why Midwifery?
Safe, Personalized Care
Time and again studies researching the safety of planned home birth have found that home birth with a skilled attendant is safe. You can read a few of the studies here, here, here, here, and here. One recent study from the Midwives Alliance of North America compiled data from over 16,900 planned home births. Results stated that home birth is safe for low risk clients being cared for by a skilled attendant (midwife). To quote the study, "Low-risk women in this cohort experienced high rates of physiologic birth and low rates of intervention without an increase in adverse outcomes."
What is a Midwife?
A midwife is a holistically trained health-care professional who specializes in normal, physiologic birth. Midwives approach care with their clients based on the belief that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. The application of this client-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. Furthermore, midwives recognize that when a birthing person is well supported and in an environment that feels safe and comfortable to them, they are better able to have a safe, empowering, and enjoyable birthing experience.
The Midwives Model of Care:
Monitor the physical, psychological, and social well-being of her client throughout the childbearing cycle
Provide her client with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
Minimize technological interventions
Identify and refer clients who require obstetrical attention