INTRODUCTION TO MIDWIFERY

The simplest definition of midwifery is “with woman”, but truly, midwifery means different things to different people. For many, the midwifery model is an attitude about woman and how pregnancy and birth occur, and view that pregnancy and birth are normal events until proven otherwise. It is an attitude of giving and sharing information, of empowerment, and of respecting the right of a woman and her family to determine their own care.
The attitude of midwifery, or the midwifery model can be contrasted with the medical model. In general, Medical Model is an attitude that there is potential pathology in any given situation, and that medicine can assist to improve the situation. Medicine is also about teaching, informing, and prevention, but the power seems to be more with the provider rather than with the woman.
Historically, midwifes have always been around to help woman give birth. Before physicians, midwifes were the primary healers in their communities. They were the medicine women of their own cultures, and assisted families and woman throughout their lives. In the old testament they were described as examples of the strength and faith in God.
Midwifes were once the nutritionists, herbalists, doctors, ministers, counselors, all rolled in to one ‘profession. Many feel they were the first holistic practitioners. Midwifes were always available to help the poor, the woman without medical care or the woman who  were the outcasts of their culture. Today, midwives take care of anyone who wishes to see them, but practice within the constraints of their medical and legal systems.
Today midwives are as diverse as the populations they serve. Midwives are willing to take care of anyone who wishes to see them. Over 70% of birth in the world are attended by midwives. In the Netherlands, midwives deliver a majority of the babies. Other countries do not utilize midwives to their fullest potential. Each country worldwide has a slightly different view of midwifery, and of how midwives work within their communities. In sci.med.midwifery, midwives will speak from these various perspectives and cultures. Midwives are encouraged to share their statistics and work situations within this newsgroup.
The World Health Organization (WHO) presents us with the following definition of the midwife:
A midwife is a person who having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational program, duly recognized in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the pescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery.
(WHO, FIGO, ICM statement)
Midwives teach, educate and empower woman to take control of their own health care. In most communities, they provide prenatal care, or supervision of the pregnancy, and then assist the mother to give birth. They manage the birth, and guard the woman and her newborn in the postpartum period.
Most midwives encourage and monitor women throughout their labor with techniques to improve the labor and birth. Reassurance, positive imaging and suggestions to change position and walk helps labors progress. Many midwives provide family planning services and routine women’s health examinations such as pap smears and physical examinations.
They teach women about sexually transmitted infections, and focus on prevention of the spread of infections. What specifically midwifes do will depend on: her training, her licensure, and what is allowed in the state, province, or country in which she practices.
For example, in the united states some midwives can prescribe medications, provide women’s health care throughout the menopause years. Midwives worldwide births in the home, hospital or birthing center, depending upon their education and licensure, and the rules governing their practices.
Midwives believe it is especially important to provide time for questions, teaching, and time to listen to the concerns and needs of the women they care for. The WHO definition of the midwife gives us the following guidelines about what midwives do:
She must be able to give the necessary supervision, care, and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries on her own responsibility and to care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the detection of abnormal conditions in mother and child, the procurement of medical assistance and the execution of emergency measures in the absence of medical help. She has an important task in health counseling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. The work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and extends to certain areas of gynecology, family planning and child care. She may practice in the hospitals, clinics, health units, domiciliary conditions of in any other services. (WHO,FIGO, ICM Statement).
Answer the questions!
1. What is midwife?
2. What do midwives do?
3. What is midwifery according to the text?
4. What is midwife according to your opinion?
The questions for discussion.
1. What is difference between midwife and obstetrician, explain briefly!
2. Why do you want to be midwife?
3. Is midwifery care safe?
Find the meaning of these words!
- attitude
- care
- birth
- pathology
- prenatal care
- prescribe