Models of Care
The model of care provided to the mother and baby is important no matter where the birth takes place or who is attending. The two main models of care that are typically discussed with respect to maternity care are the midwifery model and the medical/obstetric model. A woman and family's preferences and beliefs, health needs and circumstances, and her provider and setting's protocols and philosophy, will influence which model of care she chooses or receives. Knowing about the different models of care can be useful in exploring one's birth options.
This article from Our Bodies, Ourselves, does a very good job of explaining the midwifery and obstetric models of care, describing how they differ, and discussing how they can complement each other.
The Midwives Model of Care is based on birth being a normal part of life. It sets forth four guidelines for supporting the mother throughout the pregnancy and birth, including:
To learn more about the Midwives Model of care, see Citizens for Midwifery.
A similar model is the Midwifery Model of Care described by Childbirth Connection.
These models are simply philosophical points anyone can decide to follow. As such, any or all of the features can be followed by any birth attendant at any birth setting. To determine the model of care used by your provider and setting, you can ask them questions. Childbirth Connection has great lists of questions for a physician, questions for a midwife, questions for a hospital, questions for a birth center, and questions for home birth providers. The answers to these questions can help you understand your provider or setting's model of care.
This article from Our Bodies, Ourselves, does a very good job of explaining the midwifery and obstetric models of care, describing how they differ, and discussing how they can complement each other.
The Midwives Model of Care is based on birth being a normal part of life. It sets forth four guidelines for supporting the mother throughout the pregnancy and birth, including:
- 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 intervention
- Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.
To learn more about the Midwives Model of care, see Citizens for Midwifery.
A similar model is the Midwifery Model of Care described by Childbirth Connection.
These models are simply philosophical points anyone can decide to follow. As such, any or all of the features can be followed by any birth attendant at any birth setting. To determine the model of care used by your provider and setting, you can ask them questions. Childbirth Connection has great lists of questions for a physician, questions for a midwife, questions for a hospital, questions for a birth center, and questions for home birth providers. The answers to these questions can help you understand your provider or setting's model of care.
