the simplest definition of midwifery " with woman" , but truly midwifery different things

to different people . for many model is an attitude about woman and how pragnancy and
birth are normal events until proven otherwish, it is an attitude of giving and sharing
information , of empowerment and of respecting the right of a woman and their family to
determine their own care .
The attitude of midwifery or the midwifery model can be contrasted with the medical
model . in general medical model is a attitude that there is potential pathology in any
given situation , and that medicine can assist to improve the situation . medicine is also
about teaching informing and prevention but the power seems to be more with the
provider rather than with the woman .
historically , midwife has always been around to help the woman give birth . before
physicians , midwifes were the primary healers in the communities . they are the
medicine woman of their own culture , today midwifes take care of anyone who wishes to
see them but practice within the constraints of their medical and legal system.
today midwives are as diverse as the population they serve.midwives are willing to take
care of anyone who wishes to see them . over 70% of birth in the world are attended by
midwives. in the netherlands ,midwives deliver a majority of the babies. other countries
do not utilzw midwives of their fullest potential . each country worldwide has a slightly
different view of midwifery , and of how midwives work withib their communities. in
sci.midwifery midwives will speak these variouse perspectives andcultures . midviwes are
encouraged to share their statistics and work situation within this newsgroup.
the world health organizatoin present us with the following definition of the midwife :
a midwife is a person who having been regulary atmitted to midwifery educational
program , duly recognized in the country in which it is located has succesfully completed
the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite
qualifications to be registered and or legally licensed to practice midwifery .
Midwives teach, educate and empower woman to take control of their own health care in
most communities, they provide prenatal care, or supervision of the pregnancy and then
assist the mohter to give birth. They manage the birth, and guard the woman and her
newborn in the postpartum period.
Most midwives encourage and monitor woman troughtout their labour with techniques to
improve the labour and birth . reassurance , positive imaging and suggestions to change
position and work helps labors progress . many midwives provide family planning service
and routine womens health examination such us pap smear and physical examinations .
They teach woman about sexually transmitted infections , and focuse on prevention of
the spread of infections . what specifically midwifes do will depend on : her training , her
lisencure , and what is allowed in the state , province , or country , in which she pratices .
For example in united states some midwives can prescribe medication , provide woman
s health care throughtout the monopouse years. Midwives worldwide birth in the home .,
hospital , or brithing center ,dependig their education and licensure and the rules
governing their pratices .
Midwives believe it is especially important to provide time for the questions , teaching
and time to listen to the concerns and needs what the woman they care for . the WHO
definition of the midwife gives us the folllowing quidlines about what midwives do :
She must be able to give the necessary supervision , care and advice to women during
the pragnancy , labour and the postpartum period , to condact deliveries on her own
responsibility and to care the newborn and the infant . this care includes preventative
measures , the detection of abnormal conditions in mother and child , the procurement of

medical assitance and the excution of emergency measures in the absrnce of medical
help . she has important task in health counseling and education not only for the woman
but alsowitin the familly and the community . the work should involve antenatal
education and preparation for parent hood and extend to certain areas of gynecology
,family planning and child care . she may practice in the hospital , clinics , healts units ,
domiciliary condition of in any other services.

Terminilogy meaning
1. Striae gravidarum = appear to breast , abdomen and thighs caused by
stretching rupture
2. Morning sickness = nausea or vormiting occours ussually in the morning .
3. Quickening = sensations of fetal
4. Hagars sign = lower uterine segment softens 6 to 8 weeks after the onset
of LMP
5. Chadwicks sign = bluish or purplish discoloration , of cervix and vaginal
wall
6. Godells sign = softening of theservix may occour as early as 4 weeks
7. Ballottement = a sinking and rebounding of the fetus in its surrounding
amniotic fluid
8. Braxton hicks = intermittent contactions of the uterus (painless)
9. Leucorrhea = increase in vaginal discharge
10. Lmp =last mentrual period
11. Menarche = first of menses