Midwife means
"with woman". Traditionally midwives have been a
knowledgeable birth attendant that is present during all or part of labor
and assists in the birth of a baby. Most often this person has been
a woman who through age and experience has seen many births in many
different circumstances. Because of this experience she was able to
spot normal labor progression and potential problems. Often she
would be able to offer the laboring mother suggestions during labor and
birth that would aid in an easier and safer delivery. This woman
rarely met the mother for the first time during labor. Most often
she had known her since birth perhaps even attending at her birth.
At the very least the midwife had been in contact with the mother during
her pregnancy. In this way the wise woman was available to
offer advice on diet and perhaps herbs that would give the mom and babe
the best odds of a healthy delivery. In many places the midwife
would also advise the new mother on breastfeeding, baby care, and future
family planning. When circumstances arose outside of the midwives
expertise she would then call on the local medical community or religious
priest depending on time period, location, and parents wishes.
Midwives today are not
much different. They are not the filthy poorly educated women we
have been led to believe them to be. In the United States Midwives
are required to become certified according to the Sate that they practice
in. This criteria varies depending on the type of midwifery
certification the midwife is seeking. The common threads though are:
some form of book knowledge, a written test, and an apprenticeship.