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We are women trained in the art of midwifery. We follow the Midwifery Model of Care. Our
training comes from many modalities including classes, apprenticing and self teaching. We are always finding ways to increase
our skills and education. We have monthly training days to go over issues or complications.
The Value of Midwifery Care The value of spending time with a woman during
a prenatal visit cannot be overemphasized. It lays the foundation for providing support, education and information and for
building mutual trust. The concept of education and providing complete information is based on the principle that
parents are qualified to make decisions concerning their pregnancy and birth. Midwives encourage women to
be involved in active, ongoing participation and decision making in all aspects of their pregnancy and birth.
They are committed to helping women identify areas where they can help themselves to have the healthiest possible pregnancy and birth
experience. Concurrently, the time that a midwife spends with a woman plays a vital role in building trust and mutual respect.
This important part of the relationship contributes to an atmosphere of comfort during the birth process and diminishes
unwarranted anxiety of both parents-to-be.
During labor and delivery, midwives provide
attentive and emotional support and encourage women in the normal process of labor and birth. This may
include things like showing a mother or her helpers ways to cope with pain: like getting into a tub of water, changing positions,
and massage techniques. They are skilled in their ability to assist childbearing women with the least amount of intervention.
Clinical monitoring at home includes listening to the fetal heart tones with a fetoscope or doppler, checking
the mom's blood pressure and pulse, and assessing the general well-being and progress of women in labor. Midwives
know how to let nature take their course and are
experienced in recognizing signs that are not “normal.”
They are equipped and capable of managing a number of variations of normal, such as a mother not coping
well with labor, a tight cord around the baby’s neck, shoulder dystocia, infant distress, and postpartum hemorrhage.
In the event that complications arise that cannot be managed under the safe guidelines of normal midwifery care,
midwives are prepared to consultwith specialists and/or transfer to a hospital.
MANA
Risks of Epidural during childbirth
A part of midwifery history in AL
Balancing Art and Science
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The Midwives Model of Care
The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. 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
- Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention
The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce
the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
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Certified Professional Midwives
(CPM) are midwives with formal training (either in a school or apprenticeship), who have met a specific standard
for education and experience. They have attained competency in various areas considered "core competencies"
for midwifery practice, and have passed a standardized examination on these topics. CPMs qualify for licensing in
states that offer licensing options.
Traditional Midwives are trained through
the time-honored practice of apprenticeship. Although they have not met a specific standard for education and experience, nor have
they gone through a certifying or licensing procedure, many traditional or "lay" midwives have the good judgement
that comes from years of experience.
Nurse-midwives
(CNM) compete a course in midwifery after attaining a nursing degree. They practice primarily in hospitals.
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