Midwives Model of Care

In the United States, the Midwives Model of Care views pregnancy and birth, not as something to fear, but as a normal life process that does not always require interventions or invasive practices. The heart of midwifery lies in prioritizing the health of mother and baby while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the mother in personalized approaches.

Key practices such as holistic monitoring, individualized support, minimal interventions, and timely referrals are shaped by the following philosophies:

Midwives are considered the most suitable caregivers for women during childbirth, offering specialized and compassionate care.
Midwife care promotes, protects, and supports women's health and rights, respecting ethnic and cultural diversity.
This care model is continuous and holistic, addressing the social, emotional, cultural, spiritual, psychological, and physical experiences of women.
Midwives build up the health and social status of women, empowering them through their ability to cope with childbirth.
Midwives are respectful, personalized, continuous, and non-authoritarian, referring back to the philosophy of a woman-centered model of care.
Midwife care is guided by ongoing education, scientific research, and the application of evidence, making sure that it is both ethical and competent.

Supporting Women through the Midwives Model of Care

Meghan Nowland, our president and founder, describes the central idea of the Midwives Model of Care in this way:

“All women should be allowed the right to make choices for their pregnancy and

births and should be thought of as the main care provider for their baby’s pregnancy and

birth. This basic right is at the crux of the Midwives Model of Care.

The Midwives Model of Care includes monitoring the mother’s whole wellbeing throughout the childbearing cycle, providing her with individualized education, counseling, prenatal care and continuous hands-on support during her labor and birth, minimizing interventions and referring her when she needs more advanced skills and treatment. Utilizing this statement in all pregnancies can help reduce interventions and birth trauma and injury.

Unfortunately, healthcare providers are not taught well how to deal with the

emotional side of patient care. The application of the Midwives Model of Care can be

difficult when it comes to monitoring and counseling a woman about her psychological

wellbeing. Reality is that 25-40% of American women have been sexually abused as

children. In order to heal, these women need to see the power they have over their life decisions.

Our first step in helping women heal from abuse is to stop viewing pregnancy and

birth as medical conditions and begin to view them as healthy life events. Once we begin

to practice the Midwives Model of Care, we will begin to see our pregnant patients as

clients who choose to come to us so we can help make sure they are healthy and low risk.

Women will begin to see themselves as the primary care provider for the health of their

children. Providing the Midwives Model of Care means that as healthcare providers, we

also need to increase our knowledge and abilities in working with emotions to help

women deal with their past.”

Midwifery Today

Today, the number of births attended by midwives in the U.S. is increasing as awareness grows and home birth myths are dispelled. Studies have proven that midwife care reduces the need for cesarean sections or medical interventions, and significantly lowers the rate of birth injury or trauma [1 , 2].

Despite the proven benefits, midwifery in the U.S. faces challenges such as:

Varying state regulations
Limited integration into some healthcare systems
Public misconceptions concerning safety

We need to constantly advocate, educate, and address policy reforms to push our cause forward.

Looking ahead, integrating midwives into regular healthcare and increasing access will help meet the needs of diverse populations, reduce medical interventions, and lead to healthier outcomes for mothers and babies.