Midwifery: a short history

 
Some might say that birthing at home with a midwife is incredibly stupid and dangerous. I beg to differ. Trained homebirth midwives are extremely good at what they do. They don't just come in with a towel for you to bite on. They bring things like oxygen, pitocin, i.v.'s, fetal monitors, and other medical equipment. They come well prepared and are trained to stop a problem before it becomes a problem. If they think it is no longer safe to birth at home, they transfer you to the hospital.
Up until the 1900s, all births occured at home. As the human race evolved, women turned to others to help in labor and delivery. During some time in pre-history, this established the profession of the midwife. In fact, historians stress that midwifery has played an important historic role in all cultures from the earliest times. In early English language, the term "midwife" meant "with woman," or someone who supports rather than intervenes in the birth experience. In some countries,such as France, the word midwife is translated as "wise woman". The World Health Organization distinguishes midwifery for its continual health care of women and infants worldwide.

The Bible
The Bible contains many verses about midwifery. For example, the Egyptian midwives defied the Pharaoh's mandate to kill the Hebrew's newborn sons. Exodus 1:15-22 reads "if the midwife sees a boy on the delivery stool, he should be killed; if it is a girl, she may live." Later, in Genesis 35, Rachel recalls Joseph's birth with the midwives' help: "When she was in labor, the midwife told Rachel not to be afraid, she is having another son." Early Chinese and Hindu writings also mentioned midwives

Roman and Greek Civilization
During early Greek and Roman history, midwives were recognized as respected caregivers for women, not only at times of delivery, but throughout the childbearing years. Even Socrates' mother is believed to have been a midwife. The profession became more clearly defined at this time, and the midwives needed certain qualifications to administer their duties. For instance, Greek midwives were required to have borne their own children. This requirement continues with many cultures today.

Medieval Times
Throughout the Dark and Middle Ages, midwives relied on a variety of herbs and potions, which are seen as the forerunner of present-day medicine. The midwives gained their knowledge and learned their specific skills as apprentices to someone more experienced in the field. There was no formal "school," so the information was passed down through the generations. Both midwives and women in general were not highly esteemed. The mothers were still blamed for all cases of infertility.

Renaissance
Midwifery nearly disappeared during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance when Midwives were accused of witchcraft and the surgeons took over the role of childbirth. Many of these women patients died, however, because the doctors delivered the baby without washing their hands from an earlier body dissection. Over time, the role of midwifery once again established itself as an important role.

1940s
It was not until 1944, with the publication of "Childbirth Without Fear" by Grantley Dick-Reed, that the profession of midwifery was closely studied. The book covered how midwives supported women through labor and delivery and the child could be born with relaxation methods rather than medicine or ether. He also concluded that women who were unafraid of delivery had less medical problems.

1980s
It was not until the 1980s, however, that birthing centers and home births were once again accepted. However, to this day in the United States, hospital birth is still considered by most people as the best alternative. Yet many couples now look at all their options and choose what they consider meets their personal, emotional and physical needs most.

Types of Midwives

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): an individual trained and licensed in both nursing and midwifery. Nurse-midwives possess at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited instituton of higher education and are certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives.
Cerified Professional Midwife (CPM): an individual trained in Midwifery that meets practice standards of the North American Registry of Midwives.
Direct-Entry Midwife (DEM): an indiviual trained in midwifery through a variety of possibilties that include: self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery school, or a college/university program.
Certified Midwife (CM): an individual trained and certified in midwifery. Certifed midwives possess at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education and are certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives.
Lay Midwife: an individual who is not certified or liscensed as a midwife, but they are trained informally throuhg self-study or apprenticeship.