Midwives Model of Care
What Makes a Midwife Different from a Doctor?
Midwives take a fundamentally different approach to prenatal care and labor and delivery from the more common medical model usually practiced by doctors. They create a partnership of care with the pregnant woman, providing information and recommendations, fostering respect and trust, minimizing interventions and referring women to obstetrical care when needed.
When asked what kind of a birth they want, many women will say they want to have one “as naturally as possible.” Midwives allow women the best chance to meet that goal.
What can you expect if you choose a midwife to care for you? The Citizens for Midwifery has outlined the following definitions that reflect the midwives model of care. (“Midwives Model of Care Brochure”, Citizens for Midwifery, 2001)
Midwives Respect the Birth Process
The relationship of midwife to client is one that is more peer to peer rather than authority figure to subordinate. Your midwife will respect you and your family members, your beliefs, religion, and birth philosophy. Your midwife will also respect your decisions regarding your prenatal care, birth plans, and postpartum care.
Midwives also show respect for the birth process and the birthing woman. You will have the freedom to move about and eat and drink as you wish. Your midwife will not “allow” or “prohibit” anything, although if you are giving birth in a hospital setting you both may be restricted by its policies.
Midwives Believe in Informed Choice
Your midwife will treat you as a partner in your care. Women are provided with information so they can make informed choices about diagnostic testing, interventions, breastfeeding and newborn care. Of course, as an expert in the field, your midwife will also provide you with recommendations that promote your health and the health of your baby and answer any questions you have. She can help you make a decision, but will not force one upon you.
Midwife Appointments are Long
Midwife appointments are often between 30 and 60 minutes, giving each mother personal attention and the ability to explore her questions, fears, concerns and expectations about her pregnancy and birth. As a result, midwifery clients are able to develop a very close, trusting relationship with their midwife. This translates into less fear and tension during delivery, which helps mothers to embrace the birth process and to give birth with less pain.
Natural Comfort Measures
Midwives seek to minimize interventions, creating a safer and more positive birth experience for mothers and their families. Your midwife will work with you to teach you natural comfort techniques and will help foster confidence in your body’s ability to give birth according to its own timetable. In the midwifery model of care, a woman “births” her baby; the midwife does not “deliver” it.
Midwives Recognize Signs of Trouble
Midwives monitor their clients appropriately and recommend testing, interventions and referrals to specialists as needed. Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy and birth and can spot problems early on. When she recognizes a potential medical problem or birth complication, she can quickly take steps to address it.
Midwives Stay With the Mother Throughout Labor
Unlike nurses on hospital shifts, your midwife will not leave at an appointed time to be replaced by another. She will remain with you throughout your labor and delivery, providing you with constant support, care and companionship. Your midwife will also remain to help you to establish breastfeeding and will provide postpartum care.
For the woman who wishes to have as natural an approach as possible to her pregnancy and birth, the midwifery model of care offers just that. Not all midwives or doctors are alike, however. Talk to yours about her specific philosophy to see whether or not it reflects the Midwives Model of Care and meets your personal needs.
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