-Willa Becklin Roghair, 1975
What is a Midwife?
Midwives are members of an ancient profession that has evolved into modern times. Throughout history in all cultures, midwives have been the primary attendants for women as they labor and give birth. Even today, from a global perspective, more babies are born into the hands of midwives than any other care provider.
However, in some countries, like the United States, midwives struggled to remain “with women” as birth moved into the hospital and became a medicalized event under the direct control of physicians. Currently, midwifery in America is undergoing a renaissance. With a slow but steady growth in the numbers of midwife practitioners and with an expansion of the role of the midwife into primary women’s health care as well as pregnancy and birth care, midwives are reclaiming their time honored position at the side of the women they serve as guardians of normal birth and promoters of healthy life choices.
According to http://dictionary.reference.com, a midwife is…
mid-wife- [mid-wahyf] - noun, plural -wives [-wahyvz]
verb, -wifed or -wived, -wif?ing or wiv?ing.
–noun
1. |
a person trained to assist women in childbirth. |
2. |
a person or thing that produces or aids in producing something new or different. |
–verb (used with object)
3. |
to assist in the birth of (a baby). |
4. |
to produce or aid in producing (something new): to midwife a new generation of computers. |
According to the American College of Nurse-Midwives at www.midwife.org, a Midwife is…
DEFINITION OF A CERTIFIED NURSE-MIDWIFE
A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is an individual educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery, who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of
ACNM.
DEFINITION OF A CERTIFIED MIDWIFE
A certified midwife (CM) is an individual educated in the discipline of midwifery, who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of ACNM.
DEFINITION OF MIDWIFERY PRACTICE
Midwifery practice as conducted by Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs) is the independent management of women’s health care, focusing particularly on common primary care issues, family planning and gynecologic needs of women, pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period and the care of the newborn. The CNM and CM practice within a health care system that provides for consultation, collaborative
management or referral as indicated by the health status of the client. CNMs and CMs practice in accord with the Standards for the Practice of Midwifery, as defined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).
According to the International Confederation of Midwives at www.internationalmidwives.org/, a Midwife is…
A Midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational programme, duly recognised in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery.
The Midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventive measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.
The Midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare.
A Midwife may practice in any setting including in the home, the community, hospitals, clinics or health units.
Should you become a Midwife?
Do you feel called to serve a greater good?
Are you inspired to make a difference in the lives of those around you?
Would you like to catch babies, save lives and promote women’s health?
Does social activism in women’s issues appeal to you?
Can you picture yourself sharing in the miraculous, intimate moments of birth?
Then perhaps you should become a Midwife…and we can help. Call us at 215-951-2525 or e-mail us at InstituteOfMidwifery@philau.edu for more information.
