If you’re pregnant, you’ve likely heard the term midwife. They’re trained health professionals who serve a pivotal role for expectant mothers. If you’re weighing your birthing options, working with a midwife can be an extremely rewarding experience. Below is a guide that details what these professionals do and how they’re an asset during your pregnancy.

What Does a Midwife Mean?

A midwife is a certified trained professional who undergoes particular training to help women throughout their pregnancies. They must enroll in a graduate program after nursing school, and later earn certification through an exam. These professionals are found in an array of settings, including home births, hospitals, and clinics. They’re available 24 hours a day, and many women form very intimate professional bonds with their midwives.

What Do These Professionals Do? 

A midwife provides emotional support, answers questions about the pregnancy, helps you design a birth plan, and assists with breastfeeding and other health issues after birth. Your midwife will help you arrange antenatal care, such as exams, screenings, and classes. They will walk you through your baby’s development stages, and educate you on infant care before and after childbirth. A midwife can be an incredible resource when you’re making a birthing plan. Since they’ll be familiar with your pregnancy and any possible risks or complications, they’ll suggest whether a home birth or hospital delivery is best for you and your baby.

These professionals also provide emotional and physical support. Many women appreciate having someone to guide them through their pregnancies. A midwife will support you before, during, and after your delivery. 

Home Birth with Love in Suffern, NY, is a birthing service that helps expectant parents fulfill their home delivery dreams. Their qualified, compassionate midwives will guide you through your natural delivery, providing expert knowledge and support at every step. They provide support to women in New York’s Rockland, Westchester, and Orange counties, as well as New Jersey’s Bergen County. Call (845) 641-5058 or visit them online to learn more about their services.