When it comes to the unsung heroes of the world, midwives are right at the top of the mountain. Working literally every hour of the day and night, they stand on the threshold of the world, assisting our babies as they leave the safety of the womb and take their first shocking breaths.
I once heard a midwife say, “I don’t deliver babies, mothers do.” It’s this humble approach which, to me, defines midwifery-led care. Midwives understand that they’re there to encourage, support and assist, but at the end of the day, it’s the mother who brings her baby into the world.
It’s important we recognise the essential work they do, especially this year, when midwives are working on the frontline in our health system and coming into our homes during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let’s take a moment today, on the 2020 International Day of the Midwife to say thank you to our midwives, and to spread the word about what they do, and why they’re so darn important.
Midwifery is one of the oldest professions in the world: for as long as history has been recorded, midwives have been with our women during birth, easing them through the rhythms of labour and giving them the guidance they need to trust their own bodies and strength.
Sadly, there is still much confusion out there around midwives and what they do. They’re not interchangeable with nurses - they’re actually specially trained to care for women throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond. Although just like nurses, here in Australia midwives are struggling with staffing shortages and being stretched thinly across the work they’re needed to do.
I was lucky enough to give birth to my first two children in the UK. Say what you will about the NHS and its pitfalls, but the midwifery-led model of care there worked like a dream for me. It recognises that pregnancy and birth don’t need to be medicalised the majority of the time. A doctor isn’t necessary unless you’re deemed ‘high risk’ or if complications appear.
It’s normal there to not see a doctor at all throughout your pregnancy and labour - for my first son I didn’t see a doctor once, and this was ideal. I didn't need a doctor - I was going through something completely normal and natural, which women have been doing for as long as humans have walked the earth.
For baby number three I was back in Australia, and surprised by the culture here of expecting to have a doctor’s care throughout pregnancy and beyond. Luckily, I knew of the benefits of midwifery-led care, and was able to see midwives in the public clinic in the lead-up to my birth.
This is definitely not a criticism of doctors - they are essential in helping safely deliver babies and keeping babies and mothers alive - but in the majority of cases they’re not required, and a skilled midwife will know when a doctor’s intervention is necessary.
But, if you believe what you see in the movies, then the first thing you need to do when having a baby is book in with an obstetrician, who will then guide you through a medicalised birth, lying flat on your back.
However this really doesn’t need to be the case - if you are deemed ‘low-risk’, then here in Wollongong you can apply to be part of the Midwifery Group Practice - which means you’ll have the care of a known midwife throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatally. Unfortunately places are limited - many women miss out on the MGP - which is a reason we’re campaigning for more MGP availability here at Better Births Illawarra.
When it comes to midwives, a big part of their advantage is their perspective. While obstetricians are trained to identify problems and what can go wrong, midwives come at things from the other side - they understand the variations of normal, and are on hand to help women feel empowered of their own birth experience.
In birthing my three babies, I found midwives were highly skilled in helping me tune in to my body’s rhythms, encouraging me to move and be active throughout my births, and as a result, I’ve had three successful ‘normal’ vaginal births, without any need for intervention.
And it’s not just my personal experience that shows midwives are fantastic - the research backs it up.
Global studies show that with care from a known midwife, “Women are more likely to labour spontaneously, have a normal vaginal birth, with reduced perineal trauma and reduced requirement for pharmacological pain relief, they are also more likely to breastfeed successfully and less likely to develop significant postnatal depression.” (SOURCE: Australian College of Midwives).
So let’s all give praise to midwives, for all the wonderful work they do.
If you want to find out more about birth options in Wollongong, check out our resources page.
And if you have a moment, check out this awesome video of real-life NSW midwives, sharing their own thoughts on why they love midwifery.
Article by Erin Huckle from Chuckle Communications. Erin is a local copywriter, PR consultant, mama to three boys, and member of Better Births Illawarra.
IMAGE CREDIT: Exist Images