Giving Birth
Midwives view labour and birth as a profound time in the lives of everyone involved. Choosing a midwife to provide your care typically means that when it comes time to give birth, you and your baby will be cared for by someone you've met before—someone who knows you and understands what's important to you.
As experts in healthy, low-risk birth, midwives view childbirth physiologically—that is, as a regular process in the body that is often uncomplicated when it is supported and monitored. Of course, every birth is unique, and midwives are trained to prepared for a variety of issues that may arise. Midwives monitor both mother and baby closely during labour and birth and are fully trained to deal with unforeseen events and work in collaboration with medical colleagues as required.
Where and how you choose to give birth is a decision that you'll make in consultation with your midwife. For example, you can choose to:
- give birth at home, in hospital or, in some communities, at a birth centre
- labour in the water and/or have a water birth, or not
- have an epidural, or other forms of pain relief
It is very important that you have a voice and choice in where and how you give birth.
Find out more about your birthplace options.
Want to know more about what birth with a midwife is like? Check out our video below!