1. What Is Midwifery?
Description
This article is from the Midwifery FAQ, by cnmpat@aol.com (Pat Sonnenstuhl) with numerous contributions by others.
1. What Is Midwifery?
The simplest definition of midwifery is "with woman", but truly,
midwifery means different things to different people. For many,
the Midwifery Model is an attitude about women and how pregnancy and
birth occur, and view that pregnancy and birth are normal events until
proven otherwise. It is an attitude of giving and sharing information,
of empowerment, and of respecting the right of a woman and her family to
determine their own care.
The attitude of midwifery, or the Midwifery Model can be contrasted with
the Medical Model. In general, the Medical Model is an attitude that
there is potential pathology in any given situation, and that medicine
can assist to improve the situation. Medicine is also about teaching,
informing, and prevention, but the power seems to be more with the
provider rather than with the woman.
Historically, midwives have always been around to help women give birth.
Before physicians, midwives were the primary healers in their
communities. They were the medicine women of their own cultures, and
assisted families and women throughout their lives. In the Old Testament
they were described as examples of the strength and faith in God.
Midwives were once the nutritionists, herbalists, doctors, ministers,
counselors all rolled into one 'profession'. Many feel they were the
first holistic practitioners. Midwives were always available to help
the poor, the women without medical care or the women who were the
outcasts of their culture. Today, midwives take care of anyone who
wishes to see them, but practice within the constraints of their medical
and legal systems.
Today midwives are as diverse as the populations they serve. Midwives
are willing to take care of anyone who wishes to see them. Over 70% of
births in the world are attended by midwives. In the Netherlands,
midwives deliver a majority of the babies. Other countries do not
utilize midwives to their fullest potential. Each country worldwide has
a slightly different view of midwifery, and of how midwives work within
their communities. In sci.med.midwifery, midwives will speak from these
various perspectives and cultures. Midwives are encouraged to share
their statistics and work situations within this newsgroup.
The World Health Organization (WHO) presents us with the following
definition of the midwife:
A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery
educational programme, duly recognized 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.
(WHO, FIGO, ICM Statement)
Continue to:
My Books
