Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Midwife?
Midwives are the traditional care providers for mothers and infants. Midwives are trained professionals with expertise and skills in supporting women to maintain healthy pregnancies and have optimal births and recoveries during the postpartum period. Midwives provide women with individualized care uniquely suited to their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs.
What is the Midwives Model of Care?
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
The application of this model has been proven to reduce to incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. The Midwives Model of Care definition above is Copyright © 1996-2001, Midwifery Task Force, All Rights Reserved
Do Licensed Midwives work under a Doctor?
Licensed Midwives are sole practitioners. As Licensed Midwives we do not work under another provider however we do have a consulting Physician when risk factors present.
What do you do if an emergency presents?
Midwives are trained in Low-Risk pregnancy which easily alerts us to an issue. We then, depending on the situation, will use our skills to address the emergency and resolve it or stabilize and transfer to a higher level facility.
What supplies do Midwives carry?
Midwives carry the supplies needed to address any emergency even when planning a low-risk birth. We always carry oxygen and resuscitation equipment for mom & baby, we have IV fluids, antibiotics to administer during labor if needed, pitocin for postpartum issues, and our training in emergency skills for labor, birth, and the postpartum. All Midwives must be Licensed by the state, carry an active NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) and CPR certificate.
Do you check the baby after birth?
Both you and baby are monitored before being sent home. We provide the same newborn exam which is done at the hospital, we also carry the eye ointment and the Vitamin K shot. Baby also gets screened for CHD (Congenital Heart Disease) that is done at the birth and again at the 48hr visit.
Who checks on me after the baby is born?
Midwives are trained to care for mom in the prenatal period, birth, and postpartum. We provide several visits up to 6wks postpartum to check on you and baby and make sure everyone is transitioning good health-wise.