Why You Would Use a Midwife for Delivery

Labor and delivery; it brings joy but also pain for the woman. Obviously joy because of the new baby, but ask any woman, and they will tell you a source of unspeakable pain.

Well because of the pain that woman go through, there are two different schools of thought on how labor and delivery should happen. I am going to offer some perspective on one particular school of thought that I have gained first hand experience with in my profession as a midwife.

There is the medical model for delivering babies which is tied in with using drugs to kill the pain, and sometimes c -sections to finish the delivery.

There is one other model, though not as common or accepted, but for those that practice it and believe in it, consider it a safer alternative for the woman.

That model is the midwifery model as it is called. That model is the exact opposite of the medical model which is usually used. The medical model is where you rely heavily on medicine, while the midwifery model relies on the natural. Midwifery philosphy believes that pregnancy, labor, and delivery should happen as naturally as possible because it is a natural process.

This model is a profession practiced by midwives. Midwives are generally woman, who attend the birth, often times at the mother's home. This midwife would then assist the woman in trying to get through labor as naturally as possible without medicine.

Contrary to popular belief, the non-use of medicine actually allows the labor to happen much faster because most pain killers actually slows the labor down.

The midwife is a professional with a regulatory board that certifies and licenses the individual.

Although usually not a nurse or doctor, a midwife can be a nurse as well.

Even though they are not formal doctors or nurses, they will have some medical equipment for emergencies like resuscitation devices and equipment for suturing.

So in regards to pregnancy and delivery this is what a midwife is and generally what midwifery is about.

Their goals are to let the labor and delivery happen as naturally possible. This reduced the need and use of a c-section. Does not subject you to hospital procedures that are invasive such as episiotomys. Less medical management like breaking the water or using drugs to slow or speed up the pregnancy. And the best part of all that a woman will love, generally labor happens much quicker naturally.

My hope is that this information has given you more information on the benefits of midwifery and using a midwife in your pregnancy. At the very least, hopefully it gives you more options to explore.
If you would like to learn more from a San Diego midwife visit her site.

You will learn from her experience assisting women in labor as well as from other midwives San Diego