The Midwifery Model of Care is a very woman-centric approach to childbirth. This is not a new model of birthing but rather a traditional one. Midwifery has evolved from a ‘lady who assisted a woman in labour’ also known as “Dai” to a professional profession.
Pregnancy and childbirth are viewed as normal physiologic events in a woman’s life in this Midwifery Model of Care. Women’s reproductive health, family planning, preconception care, prenatal care, labour care, and postnatal care, including infant care, are all areas in which midwives assist women.
According to research, midwife-led continuity models of care are linked to benefits for mothers and newborns, including lower usage of epidural anaesthesia, fewer episiotomies and instrumental deliveries, and more spontaneous vaginal births and breastfeeding.
The Midwifery Care paradigm is based on respect for the natural physiology of labour and the belief that women’s bodies are well-designed for birth. Midwives attempt to protect, promote, and prevent interfering with natural processes, hence they try to avoid unnecessary obstetric interventions.
On the other hand, the Medical Model of birth appears to approach delivery as a risk in and of itself, categorising each case and assuming that if all goes well, the mother can give birth spontaneously. Due to women’s apprehensions and countless doubts about the process, this is a more popular choice of birth.
Traditionally, to-be mothers have had to select between a Medical or a Midwifery Model, but there is a third option — The Collaborative Care Model.
Collaborative Care is a relationship between care providers such as midwives, nurses, physicians, social workers, cultural and spiritual healers, and others that is based on respect and understanding of the unique and complementary skills that each provider brings to the situation to influence the best possible outcomes for women, newborns, and families.
It includes midwives who care for the woman and baby throughout the process by following evidence-based birthing guidelines and having all of the medical infrastructures needed on-site in the event of an emergency.
To make healthy decisions about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, lactation and baby feeding, parenting, and ongoing personal and family wellness, women need to be fully informed.
How do you if the Midwifery Model of Care is for you?
- If your pregnancy is considered low-risk, a midwife may be an excellent choice.
- This provider is best for women who desire a more holistic approach to pregnancy, as well as encouragement for non-medical therapies to deal with pregnancy’s aches and pains, as well as labour and delivery.
- If you choose to go with a Midwife even if your pregnancy is high-risk, be sure the midwife you choose is part of a medical team and can confer with or call in an OB-GYN if difficulties arise.
- Even low-risk pregnancies can result in difficulties, so it’s a beneficial to thoroughly understand your midwife’s plan for medical intervention if necessary.
