Find a Midwife

From pre-conception to post-birth, a midwife can provide invaluable advice and support not only to the mother, but to the whole family. Midwives are trained professionals who are experts in women’s reproductive health. Choosing a midwife is a very important decision. It is imperative that you feel safe and comfortable with your choice, and that you have a connection with the man or woman who will be by you side through this pivotal time of your life. We at Birth Afloat recommend speaking to a variety of midwives to find one who is right for you. Consider discussing their qualifications, experience, fees, and situations they have previously dealt with, to ensure your pregnancy and birth are the best they can be.

Where does the term ‘midwife’ come from?

The term ‘midwife’ comes from Old English and means ‘with the woman’. It is a word that can apply to both men and women, but due to cultural and historical traditions, the majority of midwives are still women. Midwives are independent practitioners who provide advice, care, and support pertaining to the physical and emotional needs of the expectant mother and their families. They consider psychological aspects to alleviate any fears the mother might be having, and encourage active participation of family members to enhance familial bonding and support the mother. A midwife will provide care from before conception until up to a month after the baby is born.

Midwives centre their care on the woman to allow the mother freedom of choice throughout her journey. While obstetricians are taught to actively manage labour, midwives are taught not to intervene unless necessary. They are also taught to recognise situations outside of their area of expertise, in which case they will refer to an obstetrician. Rather than depending on medical technology and medications to induce labour and manage pain, they encourage the mother to follow her intuition and instincts to allow for a natural birth.

A certified midwife is trained to recognize and handle complications and abnormalities such as breech birth and posterior positioning, and to identify high-risk pregnancies and make referrals to doctors or other medical specialists where necessary. Midwives are also trained in basic life support for a newborn and can administer care until a paediatrician, neonatologist, or obstetrician is available. They are not trained to perform C-sections, and depending on their level of training, may not be able to administer drugs or anaesthesia. However, they can suture if required. If transfer from a home birth to a hospital became necessary, the midwife would accompany the mother and continue supporting her there.
Studies of low-risk patients have shown that only 5% of midwife-attended births required a Caesarean to be performed, as opposed to 32.7% in hospital births.

Most women I’ve spoken to have developed a very strong, emotional bond with their midwife. They are, after all doing the most important job in the world, assisting you in safely bringing in a new life into the world.