Today's midwife is...

an autonomous health professional who provides complete heath care to the childbearing woman and newborn. Focusing on the fundamental belief that pregnancy is normal, she combines traditional skills and modern medical techniques to safeguard normal childbirth. The midwife maintains associations with physicians and other health care providers to ensure that mother and child have the best knowledge and technology available. The modern midwife practices the Midwives Model of Care.

The Midwives Model of Care includes:
   

• monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle;

• providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support;

• minimizing technological interventions; and

• identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.
  

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

(©1996-2005, Midwifery Task Force, Inc., All Rights Reserved)