A midwife is a specialist in pregnancy and birth, appointed by pregnant women to provide care and support before, during, and after the birthing process. Their care typically begins in the antenatal period, and they’ll usually remain in contact with the expectant mother until after labour, sometimes providing ongoing support in the following weeks.
Midwives are only trained to support mothers experiencing a ‘normal’ pregnancy, the name given to a pregnancy where no complications arise. They are generally not trained to deliver sophisticated medical care, and in the case of complications, will usually defer to a medical doctor or other suitably qualified professional.
There are a range of different types of midwives, with the differences boiling down to their level of training and their form of employment. However, they will all generally be well-trained in their duties, experienced, and capable of providing valuable support to pregnant women throughout the antenatal period, birth, and postnatal period.
‘So, what does a midwife do?’, you might be asking yourself. The truth is that their role is relatively broad, which means it’s difficult to define. Midwives in general, and private midwives in particular, will tend to tailor their support to the woman they’re working with. Typically, though, they will take on duties including:
Conventionally, to become a midwife in the UK, you must have a degree in midwifery which takes three years to complete. However, existing registered nurses can complete a shorter course, typically 18 months in length, to qualify. These courses typically involve mixed forms of learning, from formal education about the different facets of maternity care in the UK to practical placements in community or hospital settings.
That means all midwives are qualified with at least 18 months of education under their belt, and experience applying their skills in the field. They’re also required by law to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) before being permitted to practice as a midwife.
As mentioned, midwives can apply themselves in different capacities, from working with the NHS as a hospital midwife to being an independent self-employed private midwife. These are the four most common types of midwife in the UK:
Contrary to relatively popular belief, doulas and birth companions are not midwives, due to the fact they’re not required to be qualified or registered with the NMC.
Nobody can tell you with any certainty whether you need a midwife – it’s a personal choice. However, there are some considerations which might be able to help you to decide. Potential reasons you may want to appoint a midwife include:
If you feel like a midwife would benefit you, your next decision is whether to use an NHS midwife or appoint a private one. They perform highly similar roles, with the private option tending to be a little more tailored, and there will be no functional difference in their training or qualification level. Which one you go for really depends on personal preference – whether you’d like to pay for a more personalised level of care.
You can browse private midwives in your area using My Health Assistant, and contact them directly through our platform. If you’re looking to find a midwife that suits you perfectly, start searching today.