When couples discover that they are expecting, they often ponder on whether to use a midwife or an obstetrician for the delivery of their baby. Both options are popular among couples, but it all depends on which option is best for each couple. There are many misconceptions about the use of both birthing options. Couples need to have accurate information about both options so that they can make the best choice.
What Is a Nurse Midwife?
A Nurse Midwife is a medical professional with a license to practice as a midwife and a nurse. They provide their services to women of childbearing age. Their services include post-natal care, prenatal care, newborn care, labor and delivery care (normal births), gynecological exams, contraceptive help, and assistance with menopausal symptoms. It is estimated that nurse midwives attend approximately 8% of childbirths in the U.S.
Once Nurse Midwives becomes certified, they can practice in any of the 50 states. There are currently over 7,000 Nurse Midwives who are certified in the U.S. Midwifery came about during the 19th century in Europe. Up until that point in history, many women helped each other during their childbirths. As maternity and infant mortality began to rise during the early 1920s, the midwifery profession began to flourish. Mary Breckenridge started the first U. S. Midwifery program, and in 1933, the first class of Nurse Midwives graduated.
Couples who use Nurse Midwives receive two main benefits. These couples receive more emotional support throughout the entire labor process instead of just at check in and delivery. They also can benefit from the fact that Nurse Midwives use less medical interventions during birthing. Some couples may even exercise their right to have natural childbirth.
Difference between Midwife & OB
Those who choose Nurse Midwives generally are looking to have a natural childbirth. These medical professionals generally also use approximately 12% less medical interventions during childbirth. For some couples, less medical interventions may be the deciding factor since certain medications during childbirth are highly controversial. Nurse Midwives are not allowed to attend high-risk pregnancies as OB doctors are. Their care is limited to the mother and child after pregnancy.
OB doctors are trained to handle any type of childbirth. They are doctors that are trained to handle all areas of female reproductive health issues. Their skill set does not just deal with birth and pregnancy. They receive special training to handle those high risk pregnancies that Nurse Midwives are not trained to handle. OB doctors receive many additional years of training that Nurse Midwives do not receive. In the event surgery is needed to deliver a baby, only an OB doctor has the training to deliver the baby under these special circumstances.
How to Become a Nurse Midwife
It is first important to research nursing programs to determine which program offers the best opportunities for each individual. Many nurses begin their studies with a combination of certificate, diploma, or degree programs, but Nurse Midwives must be Registered Nurses to practice. Going to a college or university to earn a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the route that most students take to become Nurse Midwives.
During their educational experience, they will learn about such topics as breastfeeding, obstetrics, anatomy, biochemistry, pathophysiology, neonatology, embryology and much more. The programs take approximately 2 to 4 years to complete, depending on the previous level of education students have.
Nurses must first take the NCLEX examination to become Registered Nurses before they can consider becoming Nurse Midwives. Next, they must take another NCLEX examination to become Nurse Midwives. Upon earning this certification, they can practice midwifery in any of the 50 United States.
After completing the certification process, Nurse Midwives have the option to work in a variety of settings providing care for mothers and their babies. A few of the setting include private practice, hospitals, private homes, and birth centers.
Nurse Midwives offer couples the opportunity to have a safe birthing without the need of an OB doctor. These individuals offer the same level of care that doctors do and they offer an added level of support to the mom and her new baby. It requires an extensive amount of education to become a Nurse Midwife, but the education is well worth it to help couples deliver their healthy babies.