Notes

Meaning of Midwifery

Midwifery is the skilled, compassionate and evidence-based care provided to women, newborns and families throughout the reproductive cycle. It covers pre-pregnancy counselling, pregnancy, labour, childbirth, the postpartum period and the early weeks of a newborn’s life. A midwife is an appropriately educated, registered or licensed professional who promotes normal childbirth, protects the dignity of women and recognizes complications requiring medical assistance.

Scope of Midwifery

The scope includes antenatal assessment, health education, monitoring of fetal and maternal well-being, preparation for childbirth and assistance during normal delivery. After birth, the midwife assesses the mother and newborn, supports breastfeeding, promotes family planning and provides postnatal education.

Midwives also identify emergencies such as postpartum haemorrhage, obstructed labour, fetal distress, pre-eclampsia and neonatal breathing difficulties. They provide initial emergency care and arrange timely referral to an obstetrician or appropriate facility. Their work extends to reproductive health education, infection prevention, recordkeeping, advocacy and community-based maternal healthcare.

According to WHO, internationally educated midwives providing comprehensive services, including family planning, could help prevent more than 80% of maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Points to Remember

• Midwifery provides care from pre-pregnancy to the early postnatal period.
• It promotes normal pregnancy and safe childbirth.
• The woman, newborn and family are the central focus of care.
• Midwives monitor maternal and fetal health.
• They detect complications and arrange timely referral.
• Their responsibilities include breastfeeding support and family planning.
• Respect, privacy, informed consent and cultural sensitivity are essential.
• Midwifery combines independent practice with teamwork and referral.