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A nurse midwife is a licensed nurse who specializes in the area of childbirth. In addition to having the medical background to successfully offer prenatal care, perform the delivery of the baby, and to assist with post birth check ups a nursing midwife understands the many elements that affect a woman during her pregnancy.
Working with a midwife is a very informal process that many women enjoy. A nursing midwife is there to answer all their questions from the beginning of the pregnancy until after the baby is born. It is very common for them to build friendships with the women they assist during that period of time. While nursing midwives are professionals they bring a very personal touch to the entire experience.
The hours of work for a nursing midwife are very sporadic. While prenatal and follow up visits are often scheduled they are available when the mother needs any type of assistance. They are also called when the mother goes into labor and stay for the entire process. It can be just a few hours from labor to delivery or a couple of days depending on the particular mother and the child being born.
Nursing midwifes are able to administer pain medication in most states to help the mother be more comfortable during the birth. They also help the mother with breathing techniques and other relaxation methods to make the birth a more enjoyable experience. Nursing midwives work closely with doctors and hospitals as well. They are able to call for assistance if there seems to be unusual circumstances surrounding the pregnancy or during the birth. This is reassuring to the mother who may be afraid to use a midwife because they realize there are some risks during any pregnancy.
The demand for nursing midwives are on the rise. More women are looking to make the experience of being pregnant and having a baby more personal and more comfortable. They love the idea of being able to deliver their baby at home. Statistically 1 in 10 mothers look for a midwife when they are pregnant. However not all of them are able to get one due to the location they live in or the full schedules of the nursing midwives in their area.
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