If you are preparing for childbirth, you probably have some questions and a little fear in your mind. It is very normal. To help you and take care of you on this journey, there are doctors, nurses, and in our country, a family health service officer (Midwife). But have you heard of someone called a "Nurse-Midwife"? This is a slightly different concept. Today, let's talk about who this nurse-midwife is, and what kind of service you receive from her.
Who is this Nurse-Midwife?
Simply put, a nurse midwife is someone who has qualified as a Registered Nurse (RN) and then pursued a specialized degree in childbirth, pregnancy, and women's health. This means that they have knowledge of nursing as well as expertise in midwifery.
This is very different from the concept of 'midwife' in our villages. Also, these people provide a broader service that goes beyond the role of our government-appointed Family Health Officers (PHMs).
Their main goal is to provide maximum physical and mental support to women during the natural process of childbirth, without unnecessary technological interventions. They believe that childbirth is not a disease, but a beautiful, natural event in life. Therefore, they guide them to face it as naturally and comfortably as possible.
What services are provided by a nurse midwife?
In addition to assisting with childbirth, a nurse midwife provides a wide range of services at different stages of a woman's life.
- Pregnancy care: The health of the mother and the unborn child is constantly monitored. You are given specific advice. You are helped to plan the birth according to your wishes.
- Childbirth support: Strengthens you during childbirth and helps you manage pain through natural methods.
- Postpartum care: They provide the necessary care for the mother and baby after the baby is born. They can also provide newborn care, especially during the first month of the baby's life.
- General gynecological care: Provides advice and treatment for health services that a woman generally needs, not just during pregnancy, for example during periods like menopause .
- Health consultations: They perform physical examinations, diagnose and prescribe treatments for certain medical conditions. In some countries, they are also authorized to write prescriptions for certain conditions.
- Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): Surprisingly, some nurse midwives are even trained to treat a woman's male partner if he or she has an STD.
Imagine how convenient it would be to receive such a comprehensive service from one place and one person.
Most importantly, although they often avoid unnecessary technical interventions, they are specially trained to recognize when to seek the assistance of an obstetrician in an emergency, such as a C-section .
| Service opportunity | Description of services received |
|---|---|
| Before pregnancy (Pre-conception) | Providing advice on how to prepare the body for a healthy pregnancy, nutrition, and lifestyle. |
| During Pregnancy | Regular check-ups, monitoring of the health of the mother and child, personal counseling, and mental and physical preparation for childbirth. |
| During Birth | Teaching natural pain relief methods, providing physical support, and guiding you to deliver your baby safely. |
| Postpartum | Monitoring the mother's well-being, breastfeeding support, and newborn health care (first 28 days). |
What are the qualifications to be this kind of person?
Becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is not an easy journey. It requires high educational qualifications and practical training. The typical path is as follows:
1. Nursing Degree: First, you must obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from a recognized university.
2. Becoming a Registered Nurse: Next, you must pass the state exam required to become a Registered Nurse (RN) (e.g., NCLEX-RN exam in the United States).
3. Practical experience: It is often mandatory to have at least one year of work experience as a nurse in a hospital or clinic.
4. Postgraduate degree: Next, you should pursue a Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing and midwifery. This can take two years or more.
5. Certification Exam: Finally, you must pass the exam conducted by the midwifery certification board of the relevant country (e.g., American Midwifery Certification Board ) and qualify as a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
From this trip, you can see how knowledgeable and trained these people are, right?
What are the reasons to seek the assistance of a nurse midwife?
Why are more and more women seeking the help of a nurse midwife instead of a doctor or in addition to a doctor? There are several main reasons for this.
1. Holistic Care
This is the main reason. They don't just look at the symptoms. They care about your body, mind, and emotions . Their service is called "low-tech, high-touch." That is, they minimize the use of unnecessary technology and provide care with humanity, touch, and personal attention. They identify your needs and provide a service that is tailored to you.
2. Lower Cost
Because nurse midwives prioritize natural childbirth, there are fewer unnecessary technical interventions. This can reduce the overall cost of hospitalization. Especially if the baby is born at home or in specialized birthing centers, it is significantly less expensive than in a hospital.
3. High-Quality Care & Better Outcomes
Research has shown that the outcomes of births assisted by nurse midwives are comparable to those of hospital births led by doctors.
Research has also shown that mothers who receive the services of nurse midwives have lower rates of C-sections and birth inductions , and higher rates of breastfeeding .
Therefore, this can be a very good and safe option for a woman with a low-risk pregnancy.
Take-Home Message
- A Nurse-Midwife is a highly qualified professional who has specialized training in both nursing and midwifery.
- Their approach is to provide personal support while minimizing unnecessary technological interventions in the natural process of childbirth.
- Their services are not limited to childbirth, but extend to the healthcare needed throughout a woman's life.
- According to research, their services reduce the number of cesarean sections and result in safe and good birth outcomes.
- However, it is wise to discuss your options with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OG) to determine what is best for your health condition.
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