Midwives Model of Care™ Is Woman-Centered
The Midwives Model of Care™ is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth. While there are different types of midwives practicing in various settings, all midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns. The Midwives Model of Care™ is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The Midwives Model of Care includes:
Most midwives favor an approach to pregnancy, labor, and birth that is based on normal, bodily processes rather than on the use of medical procedures: an approach that is strongly supported by current research. The midwifery model of care does not support routinely using medical procedures if there is no clear reason for them or if their use is not supported by research. For example, scheduling a labor induction or a cesarean birth without a clear reason is not supported by research and can often lead to unwanted problems. However, when a medical procedure is necessary, your midwife will work with you to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your care and to be sure you are aware of any options or alternatives that may also be available.
(Midwives Model of Care definition is Copyrighted © by the Midwifery Task Force, all rights reserved)
The Midwives Model of Care™ is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth. While there are different types of midwives practicing in various settings, all midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns. The Midwives Model of Care™ is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The Midwives Model of Care includes:
- monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
- providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
- minimizing technological interventions and
- identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention
Most midwives favor an approach to pregnancy, labor, and birth that is based on normal, bodily processes rather than on the use of medical procedures: an approach that is strongly supported by current research. The midwifery model of care does not support routinely using medical procedures if there is no clear reason for them or if their use is not supported by research. For example, scheduling a labor induction or a cesarean birth without a clear reason is not supported by research and can often lead to unwanted problems. However, when a medical procedure is necessary, your midwife will work with you to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your care and to be sure you are aware of any options or alternatives that may also be available.
(Midwives Model of Care definition is Copyrighted © by the Midwifery Task Force, all rights reserved)
Types of Midwives
There are 2 ways to midwifery licensure in California. One is as a Licensed Midwife, the other is as a Certified Nurse Midwife. All midwives are educated and trained to help in low-risk pregnancy, birth, postpartum, well newborn and well-woman care.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are educated in two disciplines: midwifery and nursing. They are qualified to manage prenatal, delivery, postpartum and neonatal care in a wide range of settings. Although most CNM attended births occur in hospitals, CNMs can, and do, deliver babies in birth centers and in home settings. CNMs are also able to provide most of the primary care, family planning and gynecologic needs of women throughout their lifespan. CNMs conduct physical exams; prescribe medications; order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests; admit, manage and discharge patients in addition to providing care that includes health promotion, disease prevention and individualize wellness education and counseling. For more information about Certified Nurse Midwives, please click here.
Licensed Midwives (LMs) have been recognized by the Medical Board of California as having achieved the required educational and clinical experience in midwifery necessary to provide comprehensive care in normal pregnancy and childbirth, postpartum, well-woman and family-planning care for women, mothers, and immediate care for newborns. They also carry the national title of Certified Professional Midwives. During pre- and postnatal visits that are three to ten times longer than standard doctor visits, the midwife listens to what is needed at each step of the process. She can then offer appropriate information, physical, emotional or clinical support, and options.
The safety and benefits of midwife care have been proven again and again in countries across the world. World Health Organization statistics show that births attended by midwives have lower infection rates, lower C-section rates, fewer complications, and healthier outcomes - thus, lower overall medical costs - than physician-attended hospital births. In addition, there is no difference in infant mortality between midwife-attended and physician-attended births for low-risk women. Countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, and New Zealand, which have the best birth outcome statistics in the world, use midwives as their main maternity care providers.
Click here for a chart that compares the 2 types of Midwives in California.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are educated in two disciplines: midwifery and nursing. They are qualified to manage prenatal, delivery, postpartum and neonatal care in a wide range of settings. Although most CNM attended births occur in hospitals, CNMs can, and do, deliver babies in birth centers and in home settings. CNMs are also able to provide most of the primary care, family planning and gynecologic needs of women throughout their lifespan. CNMs conduct physical exams; prescribe medications; order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests; admit, manage and discharge patients in addition to providing care that includes health promotion, disease prevention and individualize wellness education and counseling. For more information about Certified Nurse Midwives, please click here.
Licensed Midwives (LMs) have been recognized by the Medical Board of California as having achieved the required educational and clinical experience in midwifery necessary to provide comprehensive care in normal pregnancy and childbirth, postpartum, well-woman and family-planning care for women, mothers, and immediate care for newborns. They also carry the national title of Certified Professional Midwives. During pre- and postnatal visits that are three to ten times longer than standard doctor visits, the midwife listens to what is needed at each step of the process. She can then offer appropriate information, physical, emotional or clinical support, and options.
The safety and benefits of midwife care have been proven again and again in countries across the world. World Health Organization statistics show that births attended by midwives have lower infection rates, lower C-section rates, fewer complications, and healthier outcomes - thus, lower overall medical costs - than physician-attended hospital births. In addition, there is no difference in infant mortality between midwife-attended and physician-attended births for low-risk women. Countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, and New Zealand, which have the best birth outcome statistics in the world, use midwives as their main maternity care providers.
Click here for a chart that compares the 2 types of Midwives in California.
Hospital-Based Midwives
Currently in California all hospital-based midwives are Certified Nurse Midwives.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) working in hospitals have access to all of the pain medications that physicians do, including narcotics and epidurals. However, nurse midwives use a variety of non- pharmacological techniques for laboring women including position changes, hydrotherapy, and other techniques. Evidence has shown that many of these techniques offer equal and in some cases, improved pain relief and are well received by laboring women. For more information about Certified Nurse Midwives, click here. |
Birth Center Midwives
Birth center midwives can be Certified Nurse Midwives or Licensed Midwives. Birth Centers are places that gives you a caring,
warm, and home-like environment where you are supported and respected
as well as safe and secure. You will have a private room for giving
birth where you can:
Birth centers give you continuing support; holistic pain management; and information on infant care, breastfeeding, parenting, and family planning. Women who choose to birth in a birth center would not have access to epidurals or an extensive list of pain medications, but do have the opportunity to use the non-pharmacological techniques discussed above. Birth Centers carry the necessary medications, oxygen, techniques and training needed to handle many common birth-related issues. To find a Birth Center in San Diego, click here. |
Home Birth Midwives
By and large, home birth midwives in San Diego are Licensed Midwives (though a few are Certified Nurse Midwives.)
The Homebirth Midwife's unique value is revealed as she connects with a woman and her family to offer a deeper level of care. For women with low-risk pregnancies, natural home birth with a qualified midwife is proven to be as safe as hospital births. In fact, reducing stress and elevating comfort and joy has been shown to reduce pain and the need for unnecessary procedures, which can lead to other complications. Homebirth midwives encourage the use of water tubs in labor, and, if the parents wish, for waterbirth. Family members and children are welcome and encouraged to be present. Women who choose to birth at home would not have access to epidurals or an extensive list of pain medications, but homebirth midwives carry the necessary medications, oxygen, techniques and training needed to handle many common birth-related issues. To find a Home Birth Midwife in San Diego, click here. |