MOONDRAGON'S ARTICLES
BENEFITS OF THE MIDWIFERY MODEL OF CARE
Date: 05/05/97
Midwifery Website
This article is dedicated to International Midwifery Day, May 5, 1997.
The Midwifery Model of Care respects pregnancy and birth as normal events. This model focuses on all aspects of the childbearing woman, whereas the medical model emphasizes only the physiological aspects. The midwifery model of care monitors the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle. The midwifery model of care provides the mother with individualized education, counseling and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support. The midwifery model of care minimizes technological interventions and identifies and refers women who require obstetrical attention.
The Midwifery Model of Care is health-promoting and prevention oriented. Because education and preventive care are very important components to the midwifery model of care, midwives devote a great deal of time with their clients in prenatal care. Midwives promote the overall health of their clients and encourage healthy lifestyle practices, such as proper nutrition, breastfeeding, and avoidance of drugs, including tobacco and alcohol. The result is full-term, full-weight babies, thus reducing the enormous risks and costs associated with low birth weight.
While midwives do not hesitate to consult and refer for the judicious use of medical technology, the midwifery model of care avoids costly standard procedures and their risks. These procedures are not necessary or appropriate for most women. Costs of unnecessary interventions and their subsequent complications are avoided. The midwifery model of care has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality, and to decrease the incidence of cesarean births. Cesarean section normally doubles the costs of the birth and puts baby and mother at risk for further complications and infections. Other benefits to midwifery care include decreased exposure of mother and baby to infections, which may be antibiotic-resistant; minimized disruption of the birth process, typically caused by moving the mother, strangers, and loss of autonomy; improved bonding, due to eliminating mother/baby separation and mother/father separation; in depth breastfeeding support; and reduced morbidity associated with technological interventions.
The midwifery model of care is family friendly and encourages family participation and bonding. This model of care greatly reduces major barriers to seeking health care, such as dissatisfaction with a fragmented system of care. The midwife who provides prenatal care is almost always the midwife attending the birth. Unless there is a need for medical intervention, the midwife provides all prenatal, labor and delivery, postnatal and well-woman care. Thus improving continuity of care. Compliance is improved under the Midwifery Model of Care because of the decreased social distance between midwives and their clients and because midwives foster trusting relationships.
Insurance companies recognize that the midwifery model of care is associated with favorable liability statistics and are beginning to provide liability coverage to licensed midwives. One reason attributed to the favorable liability statistics is improved informed consent. Because of the emphasis on education that is part of the midwifery model of care, clients of midwives are in a much better position to give informed consent. Another benefit is that the midwifery model of care is centered around the woman, not the needs and requirements of an institution. Lastly, I want to mention the psychological benefits of the midwifery model of care. The natural childbirth movement has been criticized for being overly concerned with the emotional needs of women while disregarding safety issues. Nothing could be further from the truth! Birth is a miraculous and empowering event. The midwifery model of care gives birth back to mothers.
RELATED LINKS
MoonDragon's Articles Index
MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information & Survival Tips
MoonDragon's Pregnancy & Birth Index
HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition
-- by Phyllis A. Balch
If you see a suggested Amazon product "not there" as indicated by an orange box with the Amazon logo, this only means the specific product link has been changed by Amazon.com. Use the "click here" icon on the orange box and it will bring you to Amazon.com and you can do a search for a specific product using keywords and a new list of available products and prices will show. Their product and resource links are constantly changing and being upgraded. Many times there are more than one link to a specific product. Prices will vary between product distributors so it pays to shop around and do price comparisons.
Educational materials and health products are available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.
HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES
MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Manufacturers & Distributors
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
 
Click Here To Visit Herbal Remedies Product Page |
A Source For Medicinal & Ritual Herbs & Supplies  |
MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index
MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nutrition Basics Index
MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Therapy Index
MoonDragon's Nutrition Therapy Index
MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information Index
MoonDragon's Aromatherapy Information Index
MoonDragon's Health & Wellness Index
MoonDragon's ObGyn Information Index by Subject Order
MoonDragon's ObGyn Information Index by Alphabetical Order
MoonDragon's Main Indexlisting
MoonDragon's Home Page