The myths of the midwife

While some would argue otherwise, midwifery is truly the “oldest profession.” Midwives have been around since the beginning of time and today they are here helping bring life to the world.

I have been a midwife since 1999 and over the years, meeting new people and talking to them about my profession, I often find myself dispelling three basic myths / questions.

Myth / Question # 1 – Do people still use midwives? I thought midwives were a thing of the past.

Yes, midwives are “a thing of the past” as they gave birth to 100% of babies just over a century ago. Throughout the 20th century, the use of midwifery declined, yet midwives have always been an important part of the birthing community in this country.

And yes, midwifery is alive today and people across the country STILL use midwives. While the number of births attended by midwives dropped significantly in the 20th century, today we are seeing a resurgence in the use of midwives. Currently, eight to ten percent of babies nationwide are born with a midwife present.

Myth / Question # 2 – Oh yeah, a midwife. That’s the person you use if you want to have your baby at home, right?

Yes and no! Midwives care for women at home, in freestanding birthing centers AND in hospitals. If you are planning a home birth, you definitely want to hire a midwife. While there are some doctors who still perform home births, they are very rare, tucked into small communities, and virtually impossible to find.

Today, 99% of all births occur in hospitals. And about 8% of them are births attended by midwives. So while you should definitely find a midwife if you are considering a home birth, you can also have a birth at the birthing center or hospital with a midwife.

Myth / Question # 3 – I would use a midwife but want pain relievers or epidurals when I’m in labor.

While midwives advocate for normalization of labor, they also advocate for choices, choices, and informed decision-making. With that in mind, midwives who care for women in the hospital definitely care for women who request anesthesia or analgesia during labor.

If you are planning a drug-free hospital birth, you may find one of your biggest supporters in the form of a midwife. However, if you want intravenous medications or an epidural for pain relief during labor, this does not preclude the use of a midwife.

While there are many other myths floating around in mainstream society about midwives, these are the three that I hear the most. If you are looking for a prenatal care provider and midwife, I recommend that you research the benefits of hiring a midwife. While a title does not indicate the perfect provider, you may find that a midwife is perfect for your needs.

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