Midwifery care
​WHAT IS A MIDWIFE?
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A midwife is a primary care provider who is responsible for all the care necessary for a healthy expectant person and the baby throughout pregnancy, birth and for six weeks afterward. Midwives refer patients and newborns to family doctors or specialist doctors like obstetricians and pediatricians if the care becomes complicated. Even if care is transferred to a doctor at the birth, midwives will remain involved in the care as a support to the patient and baby.
As primary care provider, midwife does the following:
• Care for healthy, pregnant patients and their babies
• See patients for all prenatal visits and give prenatal education
• Order laboratory and ultrasound testing when needed
• Arrange for consultations with or transfers to doctors if needed
• Give some medications during pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum (after birth) period if needed
• Take responsibility for primary care during labor, birth and postpartum including delivering the baby
• Examine the newborn and care for patients
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You don't need a referral from physician to use midwifery services; you can call a midwife directly. It is best to call as early in pregnancy as possible to ensure that a midwife has space for you.
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