What A Midwife Can Do For You

Posted on: 18 June 2017

As a woman, at some point you are going to need to see a health practitioner who specializes in the female reproductive system. You can choose to go to an OB/GYN or see a midwife. There are a number of misconceptions about midwifery you should have cleared up before deciding who to see for proper medical care. Here is a little clarification about what a midwife is and does.

What is a Midwife?

While you may think of a midwife as someone you call when a baby is about to be born and there is no chance to get to a hospital in time, this is very far from the truth. A midwife is professionally trained to provide health care specific to women. They can perform gynecological examinations, help with pregnancy planning, provide medical care during pregnancy, and deliver babies. All of this is done under the indirect supervision of a medical doctor. While you may never see the doctor if there are no complications, you can be assured that your medical records are being looked over and discussed with one.

What a Midwife Does

A midwife can provide routine care before, during, and after a pregnancy. He or she can do PAP smears and internal exams to ensure everything is alright with your reproductive system. They also offer help with family planning. If you are pregnant, the midwife will provide all your prenatal care as long as there are no complications that require a medical doctor. He or she will help your physical, emotional, and psychological health. This can include meal planning, exercise plans, giving support and guidance when you are stressed or upset, and helping you prepare a birth plan.  In most pregnancies, the midwife can deliver the baby as well. This can take place at your home, in a special birthing clinic, or at the hospital. After you have had the baby, the midwife will do all follow-up care with you and can help if you are having an issue with breastfeeding.

A midwife stays up to date with medical advancements. You can still have an epidural if you want during the birth as an anesthesiologist administers the drug. As long as you can deliver vaginally without the need for forceps or vacuum extraction the midwife can do the birth. If medical intervention is needed, the midwife will be there, by your side, helping you throughout the rest of the delivery. It should be noted that having a midwife as your care provider during your entire pregnancy reduces the need for medical intervention. For more information, check out a business such as Full Moon Midwifery

Share