mid•wife

(mĭd′wīf′)
[Middle English midwif : probably mid, with (from Old English; see me- in Indo-
European roots) + wif, woman (from Old English wīf; see wife).]
Word History: The word midwife was formed in Middle English from two
elements, mid and wife. At first glance, the meaning of wife would
seem to be clear. However, wife often meant simply "woman" in general
in Middle English, not specifically "female spouse" as it most often does
in Modern English
• Midwife a person qualified to help deliver babies and to care for women (Pregnancy)
before, during, and after childbirth.
• Before Pregnancy : Pre-pregnancy care (also called preconception care) helps find issues that could affect your pregnancy,
so you and your doctor can take steps to avoid potential problems. Your nurse or doctor will talk with you about your physical
and mental health, and give you any exams or screenings you might need to help make sure you have a healthy pregnancy.
They can also give you tips on how to get pregnant.
• During pregnancy: Why is prenatal care important? Prenatal care, also known as antenatal care is an important
part of staying healthy during pregnancy. Your doctor, nurse, or midwife will monitor your future baby’s development and do
routine testing to help find and prevent possible problems. These regular checkups are also a great time to learn how to ease
any discomfort you may be having, and ask any other questions about your pregnancy and the birth of your future baby.

• Midwives teach, educate and empower woman to take control of their own health care. In most
communities, they provide prenatal care, or supervision of the pregnancy, and then assist the
mother to give birth. They manage the birth, and guard the woman and her newborn in the
postpartum period. They teach women about sexually transmitted infections, and focus on
prevention of the spread of infections. What specifically midwifes do will depend on: her training,
her licensure, and what is allowed in the state, province, or country in which she practices.
• Most midwives encourage and monitor women throughout their labor with techniques to improve
the labor and birth. Reassurance, positive imaging and suggestions to change position and walk
helps labors progress. Many midwives provide family planning services and routine women’s
health examinations such as pap smears and physical examinations.
• They are also educated and trained to recognise the variations of
normal progress of labor, and understand how to deal with deviations
from normal. They may intervene in high risk situations such as
breech births, twin births and births where the baby is in a posterior
position, and transever position.
• When a pregnant woman requires care beyond the midwife's scope of
practice, they refer women to obstetricians or perinatologists who are
medical specialists in complications related to pregnancy and birth,
including surgical and instrumental deliveries.
 Figure of Baby position

1. What does it mean a baby is breech?

Breech mean that your baby is in bottom down position. A baby who is lying bottom or feet down
in the uterus.

2. What does it mean a baby is

posterior ?
The OP position (occiput posterior fetal position) is when the back of baby's head is against the
mother's back .

3.What does it mean a baby is transverse ?

When a baby lies across the uterus rather than with its head pointing down towards the birth canal.
Answer the questions!
• 1. What is midwife?
• 2. Is midwifery care safe?