Midwives are skilled specialists in normal birth, and are
trained to recognize possible problems. If problems arise, they call in an obstetrician,
the expert in abnormal pregnancy and labor......
".......The midwife must be able to give the necessary supervision, care and
advice to women during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries
on her own responsibility and to care for the newborn and the mother. This care includes
preventative measures, the detection of abnormal conditions in mother and child, the
procurement of medical assistance and the execution of emergency measures in
the absence of medical help. She has an important task in health counseling
and education, not only for the patients, but also within the family and
community."
International
Confederation of Midwives
......Midwives are the only people whose training is
concerned solely with maternity care. Midwives view pregnancy and birth as normal states
for healthy mothers. The majority of births in the world are attended by a midwife.
Midwifery In Nevada
Midwifery is a legal profession under the Nevada
Revised Statutes. In 1990, the Nevada Midwives Association began a certification process
to take midwifery to a new, safe level in Nevada. Midwives certified by the NMA are
required to maintain high standards of care, to be current in CPR certification, supply
clients with an Informed Choice, to carry equipment to the birth that is important to the
safety of the mother and baby, and to participate in Peer Review. NMA certification also
requires that midwives take classes and attend seminars to help them maintain their skills
and to stay aware of new advances in pregnancy care.
Is Home Birth Safe?
Since the beginning of time women have been having their babies in the comfort
of their own homes, surrounded by their loved ones, and attended by midwives. Pregnancy is
not a disease, but a natural condition of a woman's body. Studies have proven that for
low-risked women planing a home birth with an experienced midwife, that having a baby at
home is safer for both the mother and the baby than in the hospital. Medical science
has been proven to be helpful for women who are at high risk, such as women with heart
disease, kidney disease and insulin controlled diabetes, but for 96-98% of pregnant women,
modern medicine has little to offer. That is because pregnancy and birth are
inherently safe. Some of the advantages of home birth are:
Lower infection rate for mother and baby
Less need for drugs for pain relief
Less need for unnecessary interventions such as: artificially
rupturing the amniotic bag, IV's, forceps, cesarean section.
