What is a midwife?
Midwives are trained professionals who specialize in normal childbirth. They offer expert care, education, counseling and support to parents and newborns during the childbearing cycle. Midwives believe pregnancy and childbirth are normal and healthy life processes, which usually do not require medical interventions. Their goal is to help each person have the safest and most emotionally fulfilling birth experience. Today's midwives are trained in the use of modern diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. They know how to watch for and identify potential complications as well as provide emergency treatment until additional assistance is available, when necessary. Midwives are teachers and advocates who enable parents to make informed choices. More and more states are looking at midwives as providers for vital maternity care services. There are over 75 licensed midwives serving the communities of Arizona.