What is private midwife and one-on-one midwife support?

A special midwife is a professional who supports the mother before and after birth. The midwife, whom you meet and bond with before birth, providing support like a sister during birth, will help you complete your birth with positive emotions. The special midwife also ensures emotional and positive support for the mother until the breastfeeding period.

Mothers who receive one-on-one support during pregnancy and childbirth feel more comfortable and secure during the birth process. This allows the birth process to be completed very comfortably. In fact, a systematic review by Cochrane covering approximately 16,000 women shows that women who received continuous support during childbirth had increased spontaneous vaginal birth rates, and cesarean sections, instrumental births, and negative birth experiences were significantly reduced .

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A special midwife supports the mother during labor, not only medically, but also emotionally, physically, and informatively, guiding her to complete this unique journey with positive emotions.

Working with a professional midwife during childbirth helps to find a comfortable and secure space during labor. The mother can ask the special midwife about the birth method she prefers, her requests during labor, and all her other expectations. The midwife is in constant communication with the doctor; the doctor, the midwife, and the mother work in harmony to manage the process.

We consider the support of a special midwife as part of the positive birth journey. For more information about the natural birth process and one-on-one support, you can visit our relevant page.

What are the Advantages of a Special Midwife?

A special midwife, who is with the mother from pregnancy to breastfeeding, helps the mother achieve her birth preferences during pregnancy and creates a safe birth environment. The health of both the baby and the mother is continuously monitored.

Additionally, the mother is relaxed through appropriate massage techniques and breathing exercises. A professional midwife is always with the mother at the center of birth. With her medical knowledge and experience, she provides informational support to the mother. A mother whose preferences are respected and whose medical questions are answered experiences the birth process in a less stressful and healthier way.

• The risk of complications is reduced with a special midwife .
• The birth process is completed much more comfortably.
• The need for interventions such as artificial contractions, vacuum, and cesarean section is reduced, and the birth is completed as naturally as possible. Meta-analysis findings show that trained doula/midwife support reduces cesarean rates by about 32% and instrumental vaginal birth rates by about 46% .
• The likelihood of using epidural and other painkillers is reduced .

What Doesn’t a Special Midwife Do?

• A special midwife does not have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the mother and father. A special midwife provides support when necessary and shares her medical thoughts by reviewing the birth plans with the family.
• She cannot make any requests from the doctor without the mother and father’s approval.
• She is in constant communication with the doctor; she does not make decisions independently.

What Does a Special Midwife Do During Birth?

• Before birth, the special midwife provides both emotional and medical information to the mother and father about pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
• She clarifies all medical preferences while making birth decisions and informs the mother about what to expect.
• She supports the mother during labor.
• She helps the mother understand the general hospital procedures and make informed decisions during birth.
• She provides support for active birth positions.
• She provides both physical and emotional support through massage or just touch.
• She continuously reminds the mother of breathing techniques during labor.
• She helps maintain privacy.
• She also supports the father and guides him on how to assist the mother.
• She uses positive affirmations.
• During the early stages of labor, she follows the mother at home until the transition to the hospital.
• After birth, she conducts a home visit to evaluate breastfeeding and provide support for adapting to life with a baby.

What is One-on-One Midwife Support?

One-on-one midwife support starts during the active phase of labor, when contractions begin regularly, and the midwife meets the mother at the hospital, staying with her until birth and the first breastfeeding is completed, providing continuous support throughout the process.

The midwife does not conduct home visits before and after birth. The main goal is to ensure the mother does not remain alone in the hospital and to support her in completing the process with positive emotions. During her time in the hospital, the midwife provides all the services necessary. Research shows that this continuous and focused support increases maternal satisfaction with birth while reducing the risk of postpartum depression .

To support pregnancy and birth with a holistic approach, you can visit our page on What is Breastfeeding Counseling?.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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  What is the difference between a special midwife and a birth doctor?

  The doctor is the person who makes medical decisions and manages the birth. The special midwife is the person who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the mother; she works in constant communication with the doctor but does not make medical decisions independently.

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  Does a special midwife support cesarean births?

  Yes. A special midwife is with the mother regardless of the birth method. In cesarean births, she provides emotional support to the mother, explains the process, and continues her support until the first breastfeeding stage after the surgery.

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  Can the father participate in the birth with the special midwife?

  Yes, absolutely. The special midwife includes the father in the process; she guides him on how to support the mother. Fathers with awareness provide great power to mothers just by being present during birth.

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  What is the difference between one-on-one midwife support and special midwife support?

  One-on-one midwife support only covers the hospital process (from active labor to the first breastfeeding). Special midwife support is a more comprehensive support model that spans from pregnancy to postpartum home visits.

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  Does working with a special midwife reduce the risk of cesarean?

  Scientific data is promising in this regard. Meta-analysis studies show that trained doula/midwife support significantly reduces cesarean rates. However, every pregnancy is individual, and the final decision is made with the doctor's evaluation.

References

1. Bohren, M. A., et al. (2017). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7, CD003766. PubMed PMID: 28681500. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28681500/)
2. Mottl-Santiago, J., et al. (2015). Doula support compared with standard care: Meta-analysis of the effects on the rate of medical interventions during labour for low-risk women delivering at term. Canadian Family Physician, 61(6). PMC4463913. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4463913/)
3. McGrath, S. K., & Kennell, J. H. (2008). A randomized controlled trial of continuous labor support for middle-class couples: effect on cesarean delivery rates. Birth, 35(2), 92–97. PubMed PMID: 18507579. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18507579/)