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What is a Mid Wife ?
A
midwife attends childbirth, provides support during labor
and delivery, and supervises the general care of women and children
directly after birth. The term midwife, meaning "with a
woman," was first recorded in 1300. However, accounts
dating to the second century confirm the role of midwives
in the birthing process. Contemporary midwives provide care
to women during normal pregnancies and deliveries and call
on obstetricians or other physicians if complications develop.
Midwifery is a professionally regulated field.
Midwifery provides continuous support to women with uncomplicated
pregnancies during pregnancy and labor. Communication between
midwife and the pregnant woman is emphasized, and midwives
focus on working with the woman to reduce the risk for complications
during childbirth. Midwives also focus on the needs of the
family, and most encourage family participation in the birth.
They pay special attention to the cultural values and personal
preferences of the women in their care.
Safety is also a priority in midwifery and studies show that
outcomes are the same as physician-attended births. As part
of their commitment to nonintervention, midwives do not advocate
the use of pain medication or invasive procedures during the
normal birthing process. They encourage women to actively participate
in the birthing process. Midwives provide health care education
and emotional and social support. The continuous presence of
a midwife during labor can reduce:
The length of labor
The need for pain medication
The likelihood of forceps or other operative devices during
delivery
The possibility of cesarean delivery
There are two recognized types of midwives in the United States:
direct entry midwives and nurse-midwives. The credentials differ;
however, certification requires that both types are trained
in childbirth and committed to providing continuous care to
women throughout childbirth. Midwives maintain working relationships
with physicians in case of emergencies or complications.
What is a Doula?
The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word for
the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek
household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house
through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a
woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical,
emotional, and informational support to the mother before,
during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and
Klaus, Mothering the Mother)
A doula...
Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother
will remember all her life...
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs
of a woman in labor...
Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying
out their plans for the birth...
Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire
labor...
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an
objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting
the information she needs to make good decisions...
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her
partner and clinical careproviders...
Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman's
memory of her birth experience.
The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly
with the recognition of their important contribution to the
improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers
and infants.
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