Midwifery is quickly becoming commonly accepted once again in the United States. Midwives are represented in all areas of care, from homebirth, to birthcenter to hospital. 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 the mother and her baby.
The application of the midwife model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. 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. She does this by offering education to the client and by monitoring the pregnant woman and baby throughout every stage.
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 and expect to have a low-risk, normal pregnancy.
A midwife's model of care includes the following:
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, and continuous support during labor and delivery, and postpartum
Continually screening and referring individuals who require obstetrical attention