The Midwifery Model of Care

The Midwifery Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.

The Midwifery Model of Care includes:

  • monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle;
  • providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support;
  • minimizing technological interventions; and
  • identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.
The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and Cesarean section.

--Midwives Alliance of North America, North American Registry of Midwives, Midwifery Education Accredation Council, and Citizens for Midwifery, May 1996