Why a Midwife?

So, what is a midwife? - A midwife is a health care provider that provides a wide array of services. These can include but are not limited to: gynecological exams, prescriptions, prenatal care, labor and delivery, preconception counseling,the list goes on and on!

Deciding on a provider is a difficult choice to make. Many women do not even understand what a midwife does or why they would choose one over an OB. Here are some wonderful reasons why most regular and low-risk mommas should choose a midwife -

* Total care - A midwife focuses on her patient as a whole person. They focus on the patient emotionally as well as physically. They are ready to not only deliver your baby safely, but also to reassure you that your body is capable and was made to do this! A midwife believes in the natural birthing process and wants to support you!!

* Informed Decisions - Midwives promote and encourage informed decisions. Most will not simply follow a routine and hope that it fits you and your birth. They will encourage you to research and know what you want. Do you want medication, the cord cut immediately, etc. This sounds like more work (and it is, but a doula and your midwife can help make this process easier!) but, the work reaps multiple benefits. You will be sure that you know every risk and benefit that's attached to each procedure/intervention. This = a happy and healthy mom and baby.

*Midwives reduce the use of interventions like epidurals, episiotomies, forceps, and vacuum extraction. This is mostly proven to be true due to the fact that Midwives have many different pain options to try (TENS machines, hot water, birthing positions, etc) and believe in the natural birthing process. Most believe in having a mother push when SHE feels ready and in the position she feels is most effective. Pushing while lying down in a bed is not the most effective way to push for many, yet is considered routine almost everywhere in America. They also rarely put the strict timetables on the pushing stage (or the entire labor process in general) that others may, which leads to more natural deliveries.

* Your chance of cesarean drops significantly when you chose a midwife as your provider. It has been proven over and over that most midwives have a much lower cesarean rate than most OBs. Midwives are trained to help deliver babies vaginally! As mentioned before, they also can be much more patient and supportive to the natural birthing process.

* You can trust your midwife. You can trust her to have your best interest as well as your baby's at heart and in the forefront of her mind. You can also trust her to refer your care to an OB if something is concerning during pregnancy or delivery that she feels would need their care. Some midwives care so fully for their patients, that they will even stay for the entire labor and delivery to support them and ensure that they are comfortable and do not feel abandoned if this were to happen!

* Cost efficiency. This is last because I believe it is least important, but worth noting. Under the care of a midwife you will spend *about* a third of what an OB's care would cost. Remember, OBs are trained surgeons qualified and ready to perform the most common surgery in our country at a moment's notice. Midwives are trained delivery assistants with a passion for birth.

So, now you've decided, right? :)  If a midwife is what you want, how do you go about finding one?

 - First, you need to decide what kind of midwife you would like. There are many types and you will need to research and decide what is best for you. There are two main types of midwives in the states. There are Certified Nurse Midwives (more likely to work in a hospital-type setting) and Certified Professional Midwives (most likely midwives that specialize in home-birth settings). You will need to look closely and decide which you are most comfortable with. Here's a great article that may help you decide what type of birth setting is best for you and your family.

 - Once you've decided what type of midwife you want and need, you can find the perfect midwife for you a few different ways. You can look through some websites to search for one in your area, you can talk to other women in your area to find one they would recommend, or if you live in Cottonwood (or in the surrounding areas) you can just go meet mine!


Stephanie Purinton (CNM)
Stephanie works in Dr. French's office and has privileges at VVMC here in town! You can find out more about her through her facebook page "Stephanie Purinton Certified Nurse Midwife"  or by emailing her at stephanie@myazmidwife.com. You really should check her out, she's fabulous!