Many pregnant women opt for midwives during childbirth. A midwife is a certified nurse with special medical training to care for expecting mothers during pregnancy, labour, delivery and eventually childbirth. These professionals help in the delivery process within the walls of a hospital, home, or any other birthing centre. You may want to opt for a midwife if you are striving to have a natural childbirth with as little medical intervention as possible. Just like gynaecologists, midwives care for women before pregnancy, during the pregnancy, after childbirth. Wondering if midwives should be your caregiver of choice? Here’s what you need to know.

Who Should See a Midwife?

Any pregnant woman in good health can work with a midwife to plan a birth outside a conventional medical setting. Ask yourself what are you envisioning from your experience? If you want a more natural birth, a midwife can be a great choice. If you suffer from chronic health issues, however, you might want to opt for more conventional obstetric care. A midwife may not be appropriate if you are diabetic and have asthma. Things Not to Do During Pregnancy: From Eating Deli Meats to Using Essential Oils, Lesser-Known Things That Pregnant Women Should NEVER Do!

Pros of Seeing a Midwife

  • Midwives have a holistic philosophy of pregnancy care that emphasises on a more natural approach to childbirth and the judicious use of medical interventions.

  • A midwife monitors the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the expectant mother throughout the childbearing cycle

  • Midwives typically spend more one-on-one time with patients as compared to a physician during appointments and prenatal visits.

  • They provide that pregnant mother with individualised education, counselling, and prenatal care. They also offer continuous hands-on assistance during labour and delivery, as well as postpartum support.

  • Midwives work aggressively to minimise technological interventions during pregnancy and childbirth

  • Midwives also focus on women's wellness and help their patients make informed health decisions, on topics ranging from contraception, fertility, and parenting.  Coronavirus And Pregnancy: Test All Asymptomatic Pregnant Women Living in Containment Zones or Hotspots, Says ICMR

Cons of Opting a Midwife

  • Midwives cannot perform a C-section if a pregnant woman needs one so it can be a major risk. That said, midwives also do not handle high-risk pregnancies.

  • Midwives may not be available in every hospital or clinic to meet the needs for their services.

  • Many health insurances plans do not cover midwife services that occur outside of a hospital setting. You must first review your policy to find out what midwifery services are covered, especially if considering a home birth.World Immunisation Week 2020: From Hepatitis A to MMR, Vaccines to Avoid During Pregnancy to Prevent Miscarriage and Birth Defects.

    Bottomline - Midwives are thorough experts in normal pregnancies and are eagled-eyed for things that fall outside of normal. So, make proper choices depending on your health and expectations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 05, 2020 12:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).