 Midwives information vital for expectant mothers
Added: 02/21/2006 |
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Midwives information tells that in the past a lot of women died because of midwives' ignorance. There was a campaign headed by medical doctors against the midwives' model of care. After the campaign the rate of the births assisted by midwives dropped drastically. 1933 is the year when the first American school for midwives was founded. Today they can get bachelor's, master's and even doctor's degrees.
When the woman gets pregnant everything changes for her. The time for making decisions starts. One of the biggest decisions that should be made by the woman is the choice of the health care provider who will take care of the mother during the pregnancy and of her baby after the birth.
In some countries the choice of the woman can be limited to a family doctor or an obstetrician. But if the woman is going to have uncomplicated pregnancy and labor, she can use the service of an experienced midwife.
Midwives information tells that in Europe about 70% of normal births are assisted by midwives. In the United States the services of midwives are not widely used. Most Americans do not know how the midwives trained, what they do, what midwives benefits are and whether they are available in general.
Midwives information tells that the word midwife dates back to Old English and signifies "with woman." It is a proved fact that midwives have helped women during the labor since ancient times. There are references to midwives model of care in the Bible, Roman and Greek manuscripts and in Hindu records.
In 1560 the midwives living in Paris had to pass a special exam and to abide to practice by regulations. After passing the exams the midwives got a license. Nevertheless not all midwives had such a level of education at that time. For example, English midwives were trained at some formal courses and did not have licenses till 1902. America followed England in the model of midwives' care.
The first American midwives usually got their craft either through tradition or apprenticeship. Midwives information tells that they were not aware of scientific advantages in fighting different infections with the help of drugs and hygiene like penicillin. They say that till the 20th century there were more women who died because of the improper care of midwives than because of the care of doctors.
At that time the medical doctors of America started a campaign against midwifery in Congress, in the courts and the press. They told about the poor outcomes for babies and mothers under midwives' care. The research of this matter which was held in the 20th century suggests that the doctors might have wanted a larger market share in the business of maternity. That is why they did not welcome the competition with midwives.
No matter what motivations the doctors had, the rate of births assisted by midwives dropped significantly after the campaign. But as a response to all the criticism, a midwifery school was founded in 1933 in America. Its aim was to incorporate medical training to the traditional approach of midwifery to the labor and pregnancy.
Today midwives come from quite different backgrounds. Midwives information tells that the majority of American midwives are certified nurse-midwives. They have a bachelor's degree and can have master's and doctoral degrees as well. They have completed both midwifery and nursing training. They have passed state and national exams in order to be certified. They are licensed in all the states. They can also work together with doctors.
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