This article will answer the question ‘what is a midwife’ to give an understanding of the profession of midwifery and the role midwives play during pregnancy and labor.

Midwives attend to the pre-natal care of a pregnant woman, attend her during labor and childbirth and offer immediate post-natal care. If complications occur at any stage of the pregnancy or birth, a midwife can call on a specialist obstetrician to assist or take over the case. A midwife will often attend to a home birth, if that is what the mother wishes to have.

The continuous support, education and care offered by a midwife, during all phases of a pregnancy and birth, is one of the reasons many women choose to use their services in preference to selecting a doctor. Communication between patient and midwife is emphasized to allow the midwife to tailor the process to the individual wishes of the mother and her family. Attention to cultural and personal preferences is an important aspect of midwifery care.

Studies into the results of pregnancies and births attended by obstetricians, compared to midwives, show that the outcomes are the same; safety of mother and child is the prime concern for the midwife. Midwives advocate a natural approach to childbirth and one of non-intervention if everything is proceeding normally. Through education and support, the midwife allows the mother to be an active participant in the entire process of pregnancy and birth.

It has been shown that the continuous care and presence of the midwife during labor significantly reduces the need for pain drugs, the length of the actual labor and the chance of an instrument delivery or Cesarean. It is this continuous care and support that women appreciate during this important time.

In most countries, midwives are usually trained, registered nurses who have done extra training to be registered as a midwife, but some countries have specific training for midwives who have not done nursing. There are two types of midwife in the United States - direct entry midwives and nurse midwives. Both types are specifically trained in the care and support of pregnancy and childbirth.

Direct entry midwives enter the profession through an apprenticeship program with an experienced obstetrician or midwife, completed midwifery training and have completed a degree in a health related area. Nurse midwives have more thorough training and have a wider range of areas of care than a direct entry midwife.

When you decide to look for a midwife, ask your friends and relatives for recommendations. Talk to your doctor about using a midwife and ask for referrals. See several midwives before making your decision as it is important that you select a midwife you can trust and someone you feel comfortable with. Here are some questions you might want to ask potential midwives:

• How long have you been practising?
• Where did you do your training? Are you registered?
• Do you provide continuous support and care during my pregnancy and delivery?
• What procedures do you follow if complications occur?
• How much do you charge? Exactly what does this cover?

Now that you know the answer to ‘what is a midwife’, you can make a more informed decision about who will attend you for your pregnancy and birth.