The Midwifery Model of Care is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care offers uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are healthcare professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in a confident, supported labor and birth. Midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns. The Midwifery Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The Midwifery 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 model has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

(Midwives Model of Care definition is Copyrighted by the Midwifery Task Force, all rights reserved)