Is this possible?

[imastudent]

is it possible to do everything as a midwife EXCEPT treat newborn babies that are ill? isn't it scary working with such small, fragil and not to mention ill and helpless beings? do all midwives have the same roles or are there different areas that they can specialize in?

can you tell me what you do as a midwife? thanks in advance!

[SmilingBluEyes]

Not a midwife here, but I DO welcome you to the boards.

Most of the midwives I know of care for well women throughout the life continuum, from menarche to menopause and beyond. They focus on WELL-woman care, to include checkups, pap smear collections/processing, family planning care/guidance, prenatal/postpartum care, labor/delivery in healthy moms, and menopause care. They also do the intial exam of the newborn after birth and help mom/baby bond and learn to breastfeed.

Midwives are the consummate teachers, emphasizing a wellness model in women's health care and issues. They teach women how to care for themselves and are well-versed in wholistic treatments/modalities. They also know when referral to a medical doctor or other pracitioner is appropriate/needed for their clients; they know their scope of practice well and always practice within it.

The word "midwife" literally means "with woman"....and that is the essence of what they do.

As a rule, they are not primary providers of care for newborns, beyond the immediate postpartum checkup and observation of mother/baby interaction, bonding and breastfeeding.

Hope this helps you. Like I said, I am not a midwife, (I sometimes wish I could be)---- but have a great amount of respect for them!