Frequently Asked Questions
What is a midwife?
A midwife is an experienced health professional trained to care for women during the childbearing year. Midwives care for women before, during, and after pregnancy. Midwives care for mother and baby as one unit.
What training do midwives have?
There are different paths to becoming a midwife. Most midwives in the US either undergo an extensive, educational program through an accredited institution or through an apprenticeship that trains them to provide prenatal, postpartum, newborn, and well women care, to low risk women both in the in-hospital and out of hospital setting.
FINAL-ComparisonChart-Oct2017.pdf (midwife.org)
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
Doulas are not medical professionals, whilst midwives are. Doulas are educated about birth, but midwives are educated and experienced health professionals, and usually hold a degree in midwifery.
What does midwifery care look like?
Continuity of care is a very crucial component of midwifery. Midwives aim to create trusting relationships with the families they care for and follow them throughout their entire pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period.
Each visit lasts about an hour where we make sure that all concerns are addressed, and all questions are answered. Informed care and decision making is important to us.
Midwives care for low-risk women. Anything that is not within our scope of practice, we refer and consult for additional care so that you and your baby are healthy and safe.
What equipment and medications do midwives bring to the birth?
Midwives are equipped with all the tools needed to manage complications that arise during the birth or postpartum period.
We carry anti-hemorrhagic medications and herbs, oxygen, sterile instruments for suturing and other sterile procedures, Vitamin K, Erythromycin, and blood collecting materials.
Do I need to take childbirth classes?
Whether you decide to take childbirth classes is up to you. However, it is recommended that all mothers take the step towards getting to know their bodies, to know what to expect, to ensure that she is well prepared and makes the best decisions for her and baby. Taking classes will provide mother with the knowledge and confidence she needs to ensure her baby has the best start in life.
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