What is a Midwife?
The meaning of midwife is ‘with woman’. The term applies to a health professional who supports another woman through pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
The origins of midwifery go back to time immemorial - women have always supported other women through childbirth and continue to do so today in various forms around the world.
In New Zealand midwives have been independent practitioners since 1990, enabling them to work as Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs) and take a proactive role in normal pregnancy and childbirth.
When should I see a Midwife?
Midwives can work in different ways and in different settings in New Zealand:
As independent midwives working as LMCs
As hospital midwives, employed by District Health Boards (DHBs)
As childbirth educators
As midwifery managers in institutions
As midwifery educators/ lecturers in education institutions or DHBs
As special care baby nurses
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