WHAT IS A MIDWIFE?
The word midwife means "with woman". Midwives have been "with women" during their childbearing year throughout human history.
The Midwifery Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events.
The Midwifery Model of Care includes:
* monitoring
the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother
throughout the childbearing cycle;
* providing the mother with individualized education,
counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance
during labor and delivery, and postpartum support;
* minimizing technological interventions; and
* identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.
The application of this woman- centered model has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
Definitions from:
* Midwives
Alliance of North America
* North American Registry of Midwives
* Midwifery Education Accredidation Council
* Citizens for Midwifery
* Midwives Model of Care
* What is a Doula?
* Find A Doula In Vermont
What is a CPM (Certified Practical Midwife)?
In Vermont, there are two categories of midwives--Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and CPM (Certified Practical Midwife).
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)
A Certified Professional Midwife is a knowledgeable, skilled
and professional independent midwifery practitioner who has
met the standards for certification set by the North American
Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the
midwifery model of care. The CPM is the only international credential
that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital
settings.
