A midwife is a person who attends a women during her pregnancy, birth, and afterwards as well as attending the newborn.
Prenatally, she will check your blood pressure, urine, weight and general health and nutritional habits. She can also do lab work as needed. Midwives measure the baby's growth and check position, and listen to the baby's heartbeat each visit. Ultrasound is available if needed.
Prenatal visits are done in your home or at the midwife's office. During this time, you develop a friendship and trust with each other, and she gets to know you and your family.
During your labor and birth, the midwife will listen to the baby, check position and dilation, make sure you stay fed and hydrated, help you decide on activities and comfort measure, and see to it that you have emotional support and encouragement.
After your baby is born the midwife will do a complete newborn exam, encourage you to breast feed, and the midwife will NEVER TAKE THE BABY OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!
Postpartum you will be watched for bleeding, your blood pressure will be monitored and she will encourage you to bond with your new baby.
The midwife will clean up after the birth and make sure you have something to eat. She will stay with you for several hours.
After your birth the midwife will visit you several times to check on the baby and see that you are doing well. She also does the baby's PKU.
Midwives are trained to watch for complications
and send you to the doctor or hospital if they arise.
They only attend
normal healthy women and normal healthy births at home.