Midwifery

For further information, contact Melissa Maimann at Essential Birth Consulting or call 0400 418 448.

The International Definition of a Midwife, as accepted by FIGO, ACMI and the International Confederation of Midwives:

A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational programme, duly recognised in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery.

The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventive measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.

The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare.

A midwife may practice in any setting including in the home, the community, hospitals, clinics or health units.

What is a Private Midwife?

A private midwife can provide qualified clinical care, support, evidence-based information, professional advice and peace of mind as a woman journeys through her pregnancy and birth.

Some women prefer to search out their own private midwife: one they can communicate with, get to know, and develop a good trusting relationship based on respect and integrity.

Many women prefer to have all of their care requirements antenatally with the private midwife of their choice.

When labour starts, private midwifery care is provided in the family’s home until the woman feels that it is time to go to hospital. Families are reassured that they may safely spend most of the labour at home and only go to the hospital for the birth. In hospital, the private midwife provides advice, physical and emotional support, guidance and advocacy to see that the birth plan is respected and maintained without a fuss. The family leaves hospital when they feel ready and care is continued in the family home, for up to 6 weeks.

How is a midwife different to a doula?

A midwife is the primary care provider for low-risk pregnant, birthing and postnatal women.

Both midwives and doulas provide emotional and physical support to women in labour and birth, and work with labouring women to suggest position changes and provide emotional support.

Midwives are registered health professionals, usually with a university degree or two and they are recognised by legislation. The doula industry is not regulated and formal qualifications are not required. There are no formal standards of practice for doulas, however it is illegal for doulas to provide midwifery services such as giving advice, clinical opinion or clinical care.

Midwives are educated in skills such as newborn resuscitation and care of the pregnant, birthing and postnatal woman – including knowledge of how to keep the pregnancy and birth normal. Midwives are also educated to know when medical care is necessary, and they can execute emergency measures while waiting for medical care to arrive.

Midwives can offer professional advice and clinical care, whereas doulas cannot advise or comment on clinical practices and cannot provide clinical care such as listening to the baby’s heart rate, checking blood pressure etc.

Midwives can book and attend a home birth as the primary care provider, whereas doulas attend births in a support role with a midwife or doctor as the primary care provider.

Working together, midwives and doulas make a great team for the pregnant and birthing couple, however, the outcome for any birth will depend on the knowledge, skill, judgment and experience of the couple’s chosen midwife or doctor, and the couple’s determination to have a healthy and safe birth experience.

Reasons pregnant women ask for the services of a private midwife:

Feel in control of their experience

Increase their likelihood of experiencing the natural, safe, satisfying, empowering birth experience of their own choosing

Develop a safe and trusting relationship with their own private midwife, who will provide continuous care right throughout the whole journey, from the early pregnancy, labour, birth and the first few weeks of early motherhood

Involve the partner and siblings in the arrival of the new baby

To feel empowered, confident and supported instead of anxious and scared, perhaps having had a disappointing experience last time.

To be supported to have a VBAC or twins by a qualified advocate who may help a woman achieve her preferred birth choices and minimise any medical intervention that may be unnecessary.

Finally …. to have a great birth!

For further information or to make an appointment, please phone 0400 418 448. I welcome phone calls any day of the week, any time between 7am and 10pm.