Why Choose a Midwife?

The Midwives Model of Care is based on the belief that pregnancy and birth are normal processes of life. The term "midwife" literally means "with woman". The philosophy of midwifery care is born out of these two concepts.

A midwife with smiling parents in Eugene, Oregon

Midwives provide individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on support during labor, birth, and postpartum. In addition, midwives provide newborn care for the first 6 weeks of life. This all encompassing care includes emotional and lactation support.

Compare some facts of birthing with a midwife and birthing with an Ob-Gyn:

Birthing with a Midwife

Midwives care for low-risk woman and are trained to help you stay healthy and low-risk throughout your pregnancy by guiding you in your choices. Because midwives believe pregnancy and birth are normal processes of life. There is an emphasis on non-interventions in the absence of complications. In other words, midwives allow the process to unfold naturally and minimize technological interventions.

Midwives have lower intervention rates, c-section rates, and labor induction rates making midwifery care a perfect fit for the woman who would like to avoid unneeded interventions. The midwife is trained in ways to help you cope with pregnancy and labor that does not require medication. Studies show that continuous support during labor and birth leads to better birth outcomes. Review the Giving Voice to Mother Study (PDF).

One of the greatest things about midwifery care is you have birthing options! Midwives delivery in hospitals, birth centers, and home. Currently, Eden Midwifery offers midwifery care in your home. A nice benefit to delivering at your home is the comfort of your support system and family without having to go anywhere. No strangers or unneeded interruptions. Your midwife will attend your birth and stay with you throughout the entire process. You will meet all the support staff during your prenatal visits. Baby care by your midwife includes a newborn exam, and lactation/feeding support. All other routine baby care is discussed during your prenatal visits. You, your family, and midwife will discuss which options you choose to include in addition to the routine baby care.

Birthing with an Ob-Gyn

Ob-Gyn doctors are trained with a different set of skills and care for the high risk woman, can perform surgeries such as c-sections, use forceps and vacuums. Women who have underlying medication conditions that need careful monitoring during pregnancy and birth would be considered high risk.

Ob-Gyns utilize laborist doctors who work in the hospital that manage your labor and birth. It is not uncommon to meet the person who will deliver your baby for the first time when you arrive at the hospital. Labor and delivery nurses are the primary support during labor and birth. Intervention rates are higher in a hospital setting when compared to midwifery care. Some of these interventions include epidurals, continuous fetal monitoring, labor augmentation with pitocin, and c-sections.

Ob-Gyn doctors deliver in a hospital setting. After delivery your labor nurse will care for you and your baby for a few hours postpartum. It is not uncommon to be moved to another room after this time. A typical postpartum stay at the hospital it 48-72 hours after delivery. During this time you will meet many providers, nurses, CNAs and other personnel. Routine baby care during your stay includes an exam by a pediatrician, Vitamin K injections, Antibiotic eye ointment, Hepatitis B vaccine, metabolic screen, and hearing test.