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Homebirth Midwives in Colorado
For Parents
WHAT IS A MIDWIFE?
The word midwife means "with woman". Midwives have been "with
women" during their childbearing year throughout human history.
The Midwifery Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth
are normal life events.
The Midwifery Model of Care includes:
- monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle;
- providing the mother with individualized education,
counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support; - minimizing technological interventions; and
- identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.
The application of this woman- centered model has been proven
to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
Definition from--
- Midwives Alliance of North America
- North American Registry of Midwives
- Midwifery Education Accredidation Council
- Citizens for Midwifery
- What is a Doula?
- Find A Doula In Colorado
What is a Registered Midwife?
In Colorado, there are two categories of midwives--Certified Nurse Midwives
(CNMs) and Registered Midwives (RMs).
Registered Midwives are professionals trained exclusively in midwifery
through academics and apprenticeship. These direct-entry midwives are
licensed to practice in Colorado. Only Registered Midwives are specifically
trained to serve the homebirth population in Colorado. The majority of
midwives worldwide are direct-entry midwives.
Registered Midwives offer complete homebirth services--providing personalized
continuity of care from the beginning of pregnancy through delivery and
the postpartum period.
Registered Midwives focus on nutritional counseling, comprehensive prenatal care, emotional needs, and education in order to facilitate low-risk self-determination throughout the childbearing cycle.
Registered Midwives, on the average, spend a minimum of four times the contact hours with a woman at one-fourth the cost of a physician attended hospital birth.
Registered Midwives are trained experts in the normal pregnancy and birth process. They refer to and/or consult with physicians when it is medically necessary.
Related Links
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies for Midwives
State By State: Laws Governing Midwifery
Information for Mothers/Parents
Site designed in part by Antoine Valot.