A midwife specializes in the care of women
throughout their life cycle as well as through pregnancy and
birth. Midwives believe that birth is a normal, physiologic
event that affects the whole family. They believe that birth
is best assisted by a supportive environment in which
unnecessary interventions are minimized, and where the
emotional and physical support of the mother is
maximized.
Midwives include the woman
and her family in a “partnership” of prenatal care that
includes education about nutrition, exercise, and good health
habits that will promote the healthiest pregnancy and birth
possible.
Babies can delivered by a midwife in a hospital, birth
center or in the home. Marcela Guyton is a
midwife who completed rigorous, advanced training in medicine
and has successfully passed a national certification exam,
maintain state licensure, and demonstrate continued competency
through participation in continuing
education.
Marcela practices in
collaboration with physician colleagues. Every midwife is
required by state licensing and by professional definition to
have a collaborative agreement with a “back-up” physician.
This midwife-physician relationship provides a good
combination of care – a midwife who excels in promoting and
maintaining health and a physician to manage any medical
complications that may develop. Midwifery care is eligible for
full insurance reimbursement, including private insurance,
HMOs, Medicaid, and Medicare.
The safety of midwifery care has been established by a large body of
research. In 1998, the National Center for Health Statistics released its
findings that the risk of infant mortality occurring in
the first 28 days of life was 33% lower for births
attended by certified midwives this continues to ring true today.
It also found that the risk of a low birthweight infant was
31% lower. A survey published by the Public Citizen Research
Group found that the Cesarean section rate for certified
midwifery practices attending hospital births was 11.6% — half
the overall Cesarean rate for the United States. These
outcomes were achieved with a substantially lower use of
drugs, anesthesia, and episiotomy.
The prenatal care provided by your midwife will
include regular office visits to assess your blood pressure,
weight, urine, fetal heart rate, and fetal growth and
well-being. Your midwife will review your obstetrical and
medical history and do a physical exam to detect any problems
that could affect your pregnancy. Prenatal testing will be
explained thoroughly and provided when appropriate. Each visit
will include time for your questions and to discuss nutrition,
exercise, the emotional and physical changes of pregnancy,
preparation for labor and birth, and infant
care.
When
labor begins, your midwife will continue to assess both you
and your baby’s well being, as well as labor progress. You and
your support person(s) will be involved in all decision
making. The focus will be on facilitating the normal birth
process as well as assisting you in achieving the birth
experience you desire. Midwives are
knowledgeable in pharmaceutical as well as non-pharmaceutical
methods of pain relief in labor. You will be encouraged to
utilize position changes, massage, back rubs, showers, and
even Jacuzzi baths to manage your progress through the birth
process. Light fluids and nutrition will be encouraged to
maintain labor energy. During the delivery of your baby, the
midwife may use warm compresses or gentle massage to help your
perineum gently stretch and minimize the need for an
episiotomy.
After delivery, the midwife will assist
you in establishing breastfeeding, monitor your recovery, and
prepare you for your return home as a new mother and family.
Your
postpartum care will include a checkup between 4-6 weeks after
delivery when the midwife will evaluate your healing, discuss
and provide family planning options, and review diet,
exercise, and other health issues. Your healthcare
relationship with your midwife can continue long after the
birth of your child. Nurse-midwives provide well-woman care,
which includes annual exams, pap smears, breast exams, and
normal gynecological care.
For
more information call
305-428-2880.
