- When a woman has a relatively low risk pregnancy, a new option opens up for natal care. This option is having a midwife. Most midwives have college degrees, leading them to being certified midwives. The benefit of having a midwife involved in your pregnancy is that a community midwife tends to give more holistic and personal care to your pregnancy.
- One of the largest roles of a community midwife in the United Kingdom is helping to answer any concerns or questions that a couple may have. A doctor may seem unapproachable to many couples, so a midwife is a positive alternative to have a constant resource for any questions or concerns regarding the health of the baby or the pregnancy in general.
- A midwife is also deeply involved in prenatal care. Prenatal visits are much more common with a midwife than in a doctor's care. This provides a more constant support to the couple, as well helping discover any possible problems before they become critical issues. The midwife also provides psychological support and holistic prenatal care.
- If the birth does not require a C-section and seems to have low risk, a midwife may be able to arrange a home delivery, or a delivery at a holistic birthing center. A midwife may also use different methods to encourage the delivery, such as walks or birthing balls. A certified nursing midwife may also provide labor-inducing drugs, epidurals, or other medical interventions--but a doctor may still need to be present in addition to the midwife to use these methods legally.
- A real benefit of using a community midwife is having the same support through the entire pregnancy, including after the baby has been born. A community midwife may be available for up to the first year of your baby's life.
previous post
next post