This is probably the MOST frequently asked question. It is also a very valid question because of course you need to know what is safe for Mama and for baby. Midwives are trained professionals that have acquired certain skills used in hospital settings AND skills that have been around for centuries, but which are not practiced in hospitals today. Midwives are trained to know when it is necessary to go to the hospital for additional help because something is not normal. During your prenatal care, labor and birth, we look for certain indicators to make sure the pregnancy is going well and it is safe to have an out of hospital birth. In the event that you need to transfer to the hospital, your midwife will go with you and be a support person and an advocate for you.

For more info please visit this site to view statistics to help ease any fear or any type of concern you may have: https://mana.org/research/homebirth-safety  

Great question! There are a couple different types of midwives, including CNMs and CPMs. First, Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are Registered Nurses who continued with their education to obtain a Masters degree to become a CNM. Most CNMs practice in the hospital. They are able to practice outside of hospital settings, but they don't often do so. Second, Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are skilled, independent professionals who are trained in out of hospital deliveries and do not practice in hospitals. CPMs have met the qualifications set by the North American Registry of Midwives. Obtaining this credential requires completing a rigorous process of training and participation in over 50 births, and it can take anywhere from 2-10 years depending on circumstances. In Utah, CPMs have the option of becoming licensed midwives with the state (LMs).

It is usually a lot cheaper to have a baby with a midwife either at home or at a birth center than in the hospital. The reason for this is that midwives care for you from the beginning of your pregnancy all the way to 6 weeks postpartum. These services are usually covered by one all-inclusive bill of anywhere between $3000-$7000, which includes all the care you need unless there are further complications that arise during the pregnancy or birth.

Midwives have a more holistic approach to pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. They work with your body and help prepare it for birth with resources that aren't used by doctors or in hospitals. Midwives will generally recommend chiropractic care, massages, craniosacral therapy, childbirth classes, foot zoning, herbs, homeopathic remedies, essential oils and other holistic modalities to prepare your body for labor and birth. Certified Professional Midwives are also able to carry certain medications such as pitocin, methergin and lidocane in the event of a hemhorrage, need to suture or other complications treatable outside of the hospital. 

It is a good idea to start seeing a health care professional begining around 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. We can get an idea of your vital signs and what is normal for you and start implementing good health habits in order to assist you to give birth as simply and efficiently as possible. Usually your Midwife or Doctor will want you to start taking certain supplements and vitamins to help you and your baby to prepare for birth. Sometimes others things are involved such as childbirth classes, appropriate exercises, chiropractic care, massages, craniosacral therapy or other modalities that you may need in order to prepare fully, mentally, emotionally and physically.

Midwives will usually come attend you in your home when your contractions are 4 or 5 minutes apart, lasting one minute, and this has gone on for at least an hour. Midwives will then check the mother's vital signs and the baby's heart rate, listening for at least 2 minutes. These vital signs allow midwives to assess that the mother and baby are still low-risk and can proceed with the birth at home. The midwife will continue to monitor the heart rate at least hourly, as well as checking the mother's vital signs every four hours to make sure everything is normal and safe! Sometimes midwives will have the mother take certain tinctures, homeopathic remedies or the mother may even get a foot zone with some midwives depending on where the she is at in labor. Midwives also can help give counter-pressure during contractions and do other labor support jobs, like making sure the mother stays hydrated, putting a cold washcloth on her forehead if she feels hot, etc. As the mother gets closer to delivering her baby, the midwife will be right next to her, ready to catch the baby and rescucitate if necessary (usually not necessary). The midwife will then help deliver the placenta and watch for any hemorrhage or any other possible complications with mother and baby.

Great question! There is a BIG difference! Doulas have been trained to be a support person for a laboring woman. They can be by your side constantly helping to give pressure, keeping you hydrated, speaking affirmations, etc. They do anything to help give you the support you need to be focused on your body and baby. They can also help advocate for you. Midwives on the other hand are trained and skilled health care providers that have the responsibility of making sure things are safe and knowing when it is necessary to seek higher medical attention. Midwives watch for key indicators with vital signs and other things to make sure pregnancy, labor and birth are progressing normally.

A high risk pregnancy means that the mother or the baby have a higher chance and increased risk of experiencing problems during pregnancy and or birth. Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, active tuberculosis, chronic lung disease, severe asthma, epilepsy, clotting abrnomalities, Rh-with antibodies, severe anemia, cogenital heart diesease, renal disease, extreme obesity, hypertension, or a viral infection such as rebella, mumps, cytomegalovirus, etc. are considered high risk, and a client with any of those conditions should not birth at home.

Yes! Midwives do pap smears. It's generally said they are gentler, and it is an overall better experience to do with a midwife!

Good question! The answer is no. However, midwives use other tools such as childbirth classes, hypnobabies, counter-pressure, and water birth to help ease the pains of childbirth. Many women report easing of pain with these methods, including a 50% decrease in pain with a water birth alone.

Yes, midwives can deliver twins in Utah, but only if they choose to practice as an unlicensed midwife. Utah is one of several states which do not require Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) to be licensed, so some CPMs will choose to practice without being a licensed midwife so they can deliver twins. Licensed CPMs are not able to deliver twin babies.

Absolutely! Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Professional Midwives, Licensed Midwives and even Lay Midwives are able to assist with home births in Utah.

Tree of Life Midwife serves Cache, Box Elder, and Weber Counties. We are located in Providence, Utah