National Midwifery Week 2020 is celebrated the week of October 4th through the 10th, 2020.
National Midwifery Week was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) to celebrate and recognize midwives and midwife-led care. This year’s theme is Midwives for Equity.
Midwifery is also being recognized by The World Health Organization (WHO) who designated 2020 as The Year of the Nurse & The Midwife. They agree that Midwifery holds a vital position in transforming healthcare around the world. Through this recognition, they will celebrate the achievements and share the value of midwifery care. They will also advocate for better integration of midwives into the healthcare system and raise awareness about physiological birth and maternal health.
What is a Midwife?
A midwife is a health professional who cares for mothers and newborns around childbirth, a specialization known as midwifery. A midwife’s philosophy looks at childbirth as a healthy and natural process.
Generally, there are three different types of midwives, and they are as follows:
CNMs (Certified Nurse-Midwives)-Registered nurses who graduated from an accredited nurse-midwifery education program and passed a national exam. All States in the US have CNMs and these midwives usually deliver babies mainly in hospital setting.
CPMs/LM (Certified Professional Midwives/Licensed Midwives) -Non nurse midwives who underwent training and clinical experience in childbirth, including outside of hospital births and passed a national exam.
CMs (Certified Midwives) -Non nurse midwives with a Bachelors degree or higher in the health field, completed an accredited midwifery education program and passed a national exam.
Consider treating with a Midwife if....
If you have a low-risk pregnancy and want more support and less interventions, we would strongly encourage you to consider treating with a Midwife. In the countries with the best pregnancy outcomes, midwives are the primary providers of care to pregnant women. Lastly, did you know that Midwives usually work and consult with Obstetricians if further evaluation is needed?
Midwives CAN...
- Help with family planning and preconception care;
- Perform prenatal exams and order tests;
- Watch your physical and psychological well-being;
- Help with your Birth Plan;
- Provide guidance with your diet, exercise and medication routine;
- Support and educate you through pregnancy and childbirth;
- Provide newborn care;
- Provide emotional and practical care;
- Deliver your baby; and
- Provide referrals.
From all of us at How 2 Mom, thank you to each and every Midwife. This week we celebrate you and all of your hard work and efforts.
You are truly making a difference in birth outcomes and experiences for families. We can say for every midwifery-lead birth we have attended, midwives create such a beautiful and safe space for mamas!
Love,
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