Why Choose a Midwife?

Midwives have been assisting women with birth since the beginning of time. Home has been the normal place of birth until the mid-20th century, and continues to be for much of the world. The resurgence of modern midwifery in the U.S. began in the 1960's and continues, as women seek alternatives to ever soaring rates of hospital interventions. Studies repeatedly show that homebirth with trained midwives is a safe choice for healthy women.

"The main reason we chose a homebirth was that we wanted to guarantee that the people who attended the birth knew us, knew what we value, knew what made us tick.... It wasn't so much that we were rejecting one thing, as it was that we were embracing something better: a more personalized, family-centered model of care. Relationships matter!"

-a New Moon Midwifery client

Benefits of midwifery care include:

Personal relationship with your care provider

Emphasis on preventive care

Low rate of technological intervention

Low rate of cesarean section

Cost-effective care

Full family involvement

No separation of mother and baby

Respect for your individuality, beliefs, and choices

Increased satisfaction with the birth experience

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For further reading:

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin
Birth Your Way, by Sheila Kitzinger