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mid•wife [mid-wahyf]
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noun a person trained to assist women in childbirth.
verb to assist in the birth of (a baby).
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Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English midwif, equivalent to mid with, accompanying (Old English; compare meta-) + wif woman (Old English wīf; see wife)
The midwife is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife's own responsibility and to provide care for the infant. This care includes preventive measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, accessing of medical or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.
The midwife has an important task in health counseling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women's health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare, and to gain the knowledge to counteract the lack of pain relievers and antiseptics
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