The Midwives Model of Care reflect the idea that pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are a natural, normal phase in a woman’s life and should not be treated like a catastrophe waiting to happen. They protect the birthing space from elements that might make a mother self-conscious or alarmed. They also discourage medical management of labor and instead let the process work while lovingly guiding the laboring woman emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Elements of the Midwives Model of Care
The following statement of purpose was developed by the Midwives Association of North America (MANA), the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), the Midwivery Education Accredidation Council (MEAC), and the Citizens for Midwifery (CFM).
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
- 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.
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