WAPAKONETA, OH -
According to the latest government data, 8.1 percent of American women had midwives deliver their babies in 2009. Julian Teekaram explains why more women want to give birth naturally.
This is Erin Spray's third baby with Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Debbie Newton. Spray has opted for a midwife because they're attentive throughout the entire pregnancy.
"She helps me through everything. She talks to me, gets to know how I'm feeling. The feeling I get with an OB is they're there to deliver the baby," said Spray.
Newton says the difference between a physician and a CNM is midwives have more time on their hands. CNM's aren't allowed to perform surgeries, and they also aren't tied down with a bunch of administrative duties. The other major difference is CNM's put a lot more faith in women than they do medicine.
"It's not that we discourage medication, or we discourage surgery, or we discourage inductions. I would say we encourage the woman to do what her body needs to do to have her baby safely," said Newton.
Safety is a big concern for pregnant women across the U.S., especially with c-sections at an all time high. Some medical experts say the cesarean delivery is performed too often, and it comes with major complications. Newton says vaginal births have less risks.
"We know the morbidity and mortality of the baby and the mother are lower if we do that. We're very respectful of normal physiological processes," said Newton.
Above all else, patients seem to appreciate the relationship and support provided by a midwife.
