A midwife is someone who will provide individualized care to women before, during, and after pregnancy. In fact, certified nurse-midwives are able to deliver a baby safely. If a mother has a chronic illness, or if it is a high-risk pregnancy, then the midwife will consult with an OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist) or refer the mother to a physician.
A midwife remains available to the mother after childbirth to provide care to the mother and newborn. She builds a relationship with the mother to give her support at this important – and somewhat vulnerable – time in her life. Certified midwives may deliver babies at homes, clinics, or hospitals, whereas non-certified midwives deliver babies at the mother’s home.
What Does a Midwife Do?
If you want an intimate, loving, and easy birth that does not feel cold and mechanical, consider a midwife-assisted birth. The philosophy of midwives is special: The pre-pregnancy to postpartum period is a highly personal experience for women, and so midwives provide much-needed emotional and medical support throughout it all.
The responsibilities of a midwife include the following:
- Provide supervision, care, and guidance to women during pregnancy, labor, and after childbirth.
- Identify any pregnancy risks, and refer the mother to the right specialists for a safe pregnancy as necessary.
- Deliver babies, and continue to provide care for the mother and child.
- Skillfully manage any complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
- Assist in necessary screening tests after childbirth to ensure optimal health of the mother and child.
- Provide emotional support and counseling to the mother whenever needed, such as in the case of miscarriage, termination, neonatal abnormality and death, and postpartum depression.
- Guide and support the mother in the daily care of the newborn, such as in handling, breastfeeding, bathing, and sleeping.
- Work to decrease the likelihood of induced labor, cesarean births, preterm births, and infant mortality rates.
- Make pregnancy and the birthing process a largely positive and pleasant experience by reducing pregnancy-related stress and complications.
Do Midwives Have to Be Certified?
Midwives are generally classified into three types: certified nurse-midwives, certified midwives, and nonaccredited midwives. Certified nurse-midwives are trained in obstetrics and nursing, while certified midwives are certified through training and examinations but are not necessarily formally trained in nursing.
Nonaccredited midwives are not formally trained or certified, and they often learn their craft through their own independent study or through personal experience. There is no law that says you must have your baby delivered by a doctor or a certified nurse, so you may certainly choose to have a nonaccredited midwife deliver your baby in a nonclinical environment.
Keep in mind, however, that nonaccredited midwives probably do not know how to resuscitate a newborn who may be choking or having trouble breathing, or know how to address sudden medical issues with the mother or child. They will not have access to lifesaving equipment that a hospital would have.
Clinical Midwife Program in Syracuse
Our midwives at University OB/GYN Associates offer personalized care before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after the birth of your baby. We provide high standards of medical care in state-of-the-art facilities with our signature sensitive and compassionate style.
If you are looking for a different kind of pregnancy care, one where you are listened to and personally cared for, our midwives will provide care through all stages of your pregnancy. For high-risk pregnancies, we work in collaboration with a team of board-certified obstetricians to ensure a safe delivery.
If you would like to learn more and schedule a consultation, you may reach us at (315) 464-5162 or request an appointment online now. We look forward to seeing you.
