Midwifery is quickly becoming one of the preferred methods for care for expectant parents. Midwives are represented in all areas of care, from hospital, to birth center, and homebirth. State licensing requirements have also caught up with the times, offering licensure for qualified midwives in the state, following strict guidelines for scope of practice, that ensures the safety for all expecting families.

The application of this family-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. In the simplest terms, a midwife is a knowledgeable and experienced person who helps a birthing individual have a healthy, normal pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby. A good midwife does this by offering education, counseling and support before, during and after the baby is born, by not interfering unnecessarily with the birth process, and by getting appropriate medical attention for the family if it should be needed.

The Midwives Model of Care

The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. Pregnancy and birth is not a medical emergency, and a midwife can be an excellent choice for maternity care for individuals who are healthy (no serious medical conditions) and expect to have a normal pregnancy.

The Midwives Model of Care includes:

• Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the client throughout the childbearing cycle,
• Providing the client with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
• Minimizing technological interventions
• Identifying and referring individuals who require obstetrical attention