The word Midwife means “with woman,” which is fitting when you consider that Midwives are as old as birth itself! Women have attended other women in labor since the beginning of time. While the role of the Midwife has evolved significantly over the centuries, the essence of midwifery care remains rooted in compassionate, woman-centered support.
Today, certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are medically trained, licensed professionals and recognized experts in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. They are equipped to provide comprehensive prenatal care, labor, and delivery. They can also help manage high-risk pregnancies in collaboration with physicians when needed.
An investigation by USA Today found the United States to be the most dangerous place to give birth in the developed world to give birth. New Jersey is listed #4 among the states with the highest maternal mortality rate. For families seeking a safer, more personalized path through pregnancy and birth experience, midwifery care is an increasingly popular choice.
4 Reasons to Choose Midwifery Care
1. You want to avoid unnecessary intervention.
Medical technology has undoubtedly saved lives, but when it’s used without necessity, it can interfere with the natural process of birth. Midwifery care is associated with significantly reduced rates of interventions such as labor induction, cesarean delivery, and episiotomy.
Studies show that people receiving care from a Midwife are less likely to experience preterm births, less likely to undergo a cesarean section, and more likely to initiate breastfeeding.
Choosing a Midwife means choosing someone who will collaborate with you to support your unique needs and goals.
2. You desire more options for your birth setting.
One of the most empowering aspects of midwifery care is the ability to choose where you give birth. The Midwives of New Jersey support every available birth setting, including hospital birth, home birth, and birth center birth, so you can decide what environment feels safest and most comfortable for you.
This flexibility is especially valuable to families who want a more personalized birth experience. Home and birth center birth offers a calm, less clinical environment with more control over who is present and how the space is used. For those who prefer the reassurance of a hospital setting, Midwives provide both safety and individualized care in this setting as well.
3. You want more choices in how you labor.
A common misconception is that midwifery care means committing to an unmedicated birth. In reality, Midwives support your choices, whether that includes natural pain relief or medical options like an epidural.
Our clients have access to all forms of pain relief, including epidurals and Nitrous Oxide, as well as alternative methods like hydrotherapy, massage, and movement. Our practice supports water labor and waterbirth, and we care for individuals seeking VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and VBA2C (vaginal birth after two cesareans), giving them the chance to experience vaginal birth when appropriate.
4. You want to be an active participant in your care.
Midwifery is a woman-centered, relationship-based care model. Midwives focus on educating a woman about her options so that she can make well-informed decisions.
At every visit, our Midwives take time to answer questions, explain procedures, and involve you in decision-making. This partnership fosters a sense of empowerment that extends far beyond birth.
Research shows that women who feel involved in their care are more confident as they transition into postpartum and parenting.
Choosing Midwifery Care is Choosing Yourself
Whether you’re hoping to avoid unnecessary interventions, reduce your risk of preterm birth, or simply want a more connected, personalized approach to care, midwifery offers an option that puts your needs and values at the center.
When you choose a Midwife, you’re choosing a provider who will respect your body’s natural ability, honor your birth plan, and support your choices throughout your pregnancy.
The Midwives of New Jersey are proud to offer compassionate care that puts your safety, dignity, and birth choices first, no matter where or how you give birth.
