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Features & links What is a midwife?
The term Midwife, according
to Webster’s Dictionary “A woman who gives
assistance in the birth of a baby”, was first
recorded in 1300. However, accounts dating to the second
century confirm the role of midwives in the birthing
process. Wise women have always supported and nurtured
the birthing mother.
Contemporary midwives provide care to
the women during normal pregnancies, providing both
medical and educational assistance and in labour and
birth, nurturing the birthing family, making sure the
mother and baby progress normally and call for medical
assistance if complications develop, or in the case
of a private client, call the obstetrician in time to
catch the baby or to provide assistance if there are
any concerns.
Midwives continue to care for the new mother and baby
after birth, with nursing duties and continuing education
and support while in hospital. In the community midwives
continue that assistance through child health clinics
and lactation consultancy.
Midwifery provides continuous support
to women with uncomplicated pregnancies during pregnancy,
labour and birth, with health care, education, emotional
and social support. Communication between midwife and
the pregnant women is emphasised, and midwives focus
on working with the woman to reduce the risk of complications
during childbirth.
They also focus on the needs of the family, and most
encourage family participation in the birth. They try
to pay special attention to cultural values and personal
preferences of those in their care. As part of their
commitment to non-intervention, midwives should not
advocate the use of unnecessary medication or invasive
procedures during the normal birthing process. They
encourage women to actively participate in the birthing
process.
The continuous presence of a midwife during labour can
reduce:
- The length of labour
- Need for pain medication
- The likelihood for forceps or vacuums
during delivery
- The possibility of C/Sections
Midwives work in public and private
hospitals, large and small, birth centres, and your
own home when you choose a home birth. Midwives are
predominantly female but there a few wonderful male
midwives.
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