Midwives play a critical role in reproductive healthcare globally. Although most people associate midwifery with pregnancy and birth, you’ll be surprised to learn that these health providers work and care for women and children before, during and after birth. They also work in different settings, including hospitals, health centers and communities.
Although midwives may appear to be supporting doctors, they are qualified professionals trained to provide care during and after pregnancy.
Our detailed guide explores the role of midwives in preserving maternal health and providing the best childcare.
What is a midwife?
A certified nurse-midwife is a qualified and licensed professional who provides care to expectant mothers and babies during pregnancy, the baby’s birthing and after the pregnancy. These health professionals act as the first point of contact for perinatal services. Midwives make clinical decisions and care management as defined in their scope of practice.
There are different levels of training for midwives – they include the following.
Certified nurse-midwives
To be a certified nurse-midwife, you must attain a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a BSN from an accredited institution and pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. You also need to complete a master’s degree in midwifery. Certified nurse-midwives can also pursue a DNP in nurse-midwifery, such as the one available from Baylor University, to stay updated on evidence-based care and the latest procedures to provide the highest standard of care.
Taking the certification exam through the American Midwifery Certification Board allows you to become certified. However, you must submit proof of licensure as a nurse practitioner or registered nurse to take the exam. You must also complete an accredited nurse-midwifery graduate program. The certification is valid for five years.
Certified professional midwives
Certified professional midwives (CPMs) are non-nurse midwives. They are trained and have experience handling childbirth in and outside a hospital setting. CPMs need to pass a national exam to be certified. However, note that not all states allow CPMs to practice.
Certified midwives
Certified midwives have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a health field. These non-nurse midwives also go through an accredited midwifery education program. Like CPMs and certified nurse-midwives, they do not practice in all states.
The role of midwives in maternal health and childcare
Midwives collaborate with doctors, nurses, dieticians, social workers and physical therapists. Some of the ways that these health professionals assist with maternal and child care include the following.
Ensuring that women get quality prenatal care and advice during pregnancy
Midwives work with expectant mothers in private clinics, birth centers, surrogacy agencies and public hospitals. These health professionals go through training to provide antenatal care, which includes advising mothers on routine checks and tests and educating mothers on nutrition and supplements.
New mothers may be anxious about the birthing process. Midwives work with them to help reduce their anxiety by preparing them for labor and birth. This involves creating a birth plan and comparing the various options to promote birth preparedness.
Like obstetricians, midwives monitor the mother’s health and the baby’s growth. Additionally, these healthcare providers teach expectant mothers how to care for and feed their babies.
Certified midwives can also prescribe medication in some states.
Providing high-quality care during labor for normal deliveries
A midwife’s role during labor and birth involves monitoring the mother and baby. The professional can also offer pain relief, though an anesthetist administers the epidural.
Midwives can also assist with birthing the baby if the mother’s labor is uncomplicated. Sometimes the midwife and obstetrician may work together, especially if complications arise. In private hospitals, midwives monitor the mother and baby and provide updates to the obstetrician. They will call the obstetrician for the birth once labor has fully progressed.
Qualified nurse midwives can also perform episiotomies if required and will deliver the newborn and placenta.
Identifying problems and getting help quickly
A high-risk pregnancy can be due to placenta previa, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or premature labor.
Specialist midwives can help identify risky pregnancies and those that can be complicated, such as triple pregnancies. These midwives undergo additional training and have experience in multiples, antenatal screening, teen pregnancy, gestational diabetes and more.
The midwife works collaboratively with the obstetrician or doctor to develop a care plan for the pregnancy. This may include scheduling a C-section, requesting extra screening tests, or asking the mother to book additional prenatal appointments.
Providing emotional and physical support to new mothers
Although most women interact with a midwife during pregnancy, some may opt to continue working with a midwife after delivery. Midwives focus on patient wellness and help new mothers to know more about newborn care through the first six weeks. When offering social and emotional support, they focus on the mother’s cultural values, preferences and wishes.
They closely monitor the mother and baby, ensuring that they are recovering well. Certified midwives also administer pain relief and may work with obstetricians to provide medical treatment when necessary.
Midwives also provide support throughout the mother’s hospital stay. They teach things such as how to bathe a baby, how to change diapers, and how to attain the perfect latch during breastfeeding. They also provide information on nutrients to consume to ensure a constant supply of breastmilk. Midwives also provide emotional support through guidance, encouragement and reassurance.
Some hospitals send a midwife to check on the new mother and baby two weeks after giving birth. This is to ensure that they’re both recovering and progressing well. The midwife also provides any extra advice or support that the mother may need.
For parents who opt for a home birth, the midwife can visit daily for a week or two. Some may offer advice over the phone as part of their postnatal services.
Educating and counseling parents on family planning services
Midwives counsel and educate their patients on family planning. They help them decide the best method and advise parents on spacing their pregnancies.
Depending on their scope of practice, midwives can provide different family planning options, such as Depo-Provera injections, pills, implants and IUDs. Certified nurse-midwives may also offer barrier methods and explain natural family planning methods to their patients.
Final thoughts
Midwives ensure a healthy mother and baby during and after pregnancy. Apart from providing physical and psychological support during birth, these health professionals also offer emotional support in the first weeks after birth. They advise on lactation, bathing the baby, changing diapers, nutrition and more. With the proper academic training and experience, certified nurse-midwives can reduce maternal mortality and improve other health-related outcomes.
