That is my BIG QUESTION? The more you think about it and pay attention to it becomes clear that it is a life event. In the absence of complications women bodies were made to deliver babies naturally.
In the private sector, women now have two options to select from when deciding on the birth practitioner they want, whether be it an obstetrics (gynaecologist) led, or midwife led. The most popular one is obstetrics led. Although when you go into labour and are admitted into the maternity ward, it is the midwives that are there for you to assist you. The midwives notify the gynaecologist when you are ready to deliver. This what I questioned when I had my first child. I remember asking myself “why isn’t my gynaecologist here?” fortunately I had support from my mom. The challenge with this is that the midwife also has other patients to attend to, they might even change shifts. Now depending on how long your labour is it might put mom under stress.
The midwife option means that she focuses on you, through pregnancy, labour, and postnatal period. She becomes the primary care giver for you. Midwifery advocates that pregnancy and birth is a normal life event and should be approached as such unless a complication occurs.
Studies indicate that women who used midwives have had good experience of their labour and less traumatic; they felt they oversaw their labour and felt empowered. Midwives practice skin-to-skin and ensure that baby and mom are not separated unless if required. Mothers also feel more confident breastfeeding their babies.
7 reasons why South African moms choose midwife care
Midwife stays with you throughout your pregnancy journey.
Parents birth wishes are priority
More flexibles with birthplace (hospital, birth centre) and POSITION (One of my pain points is this. Some hospitals do not give you that freedom this is from my experience)
Relationship building between caregiver and parents
Practices are mother friendly
Parents are sure that if intervention is needed it will be necessary
Home based postnatal care part of package
Anchen Verster
So, what do you think is childbirth a normal life event or a medical event?
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