If you are currently pregnant or planning to have a family in the near future, you may be thinking about how you will deliver the baby and what options are available to you. While a majority of women will deliver in a traditional hospital setting, some may prefer alternatives such as partnering with a Corpus Christi midwife that can assist with an at-home birth. According to Liz Derry, owner and midwife of Bay Area Birth in Corpus Christi, TX, midwives provide more personal attention and can help a woman feel more involved in her medical care. “As an experienced maternity provider, I have witnessed that pregnancy and birth is a more fulfilling (and fun) experience for the woman who becomes involved in her own care.”
Certification
When it comes to the credentials of a midwife, it is a good idea to see what type of education a person has gone through. Derry says, “there are two main credentials or titles for midwives, that of the Certified Nurse Midwife or CNM, or the Certified Professional Midwife or CPM. Sometimes depending on specific state licensure, they are also known as an LM, or licensed midwife.” She also agrees that while these credentials are not like a traditional degree or program-based, it is a good idea to go with someone with credentials to ensure the proper knowledge has been attained.
Personal Attention
The basic definition of a midwife means “with woman” says Derry. So what a midwife in Corpus Christi focuses on tends to differ and feel more intimate than a physician in a hospital. Derry says she schedules 30-60 minute visits during a pregnancy, and the visits gradually increase in frequency as the delivery date approaches. Then, on the delivery day she is present for the entire labor which averages 8-12 hours. She also schedules four additional visits Post-Partum. She says the entire process is incredibly involved, and many times she feels like a friend to her patients because the amount of time they have spent together.
Paternal Involvement
Derry likes to involve fathers in the child birth process as often as possible. She explains that a physician does not always have the time to get know a couple. Many people that are new to the midwife process are happy to learn that no one is ignored; all questions will be answered, and the goal for the parents is a relaxed, safe atmosphere. Derry explains that fathers can feel left out occasionally because the focus is primarily on the mother. With a Corpus Christi midwife making regular house calls, dads can feel more included and relaxed in general about the birth of their child.
For more information about midwifery in Corpus Christi contact Bay Area Birth directly.
Corpus Christi, TX
Phone: 361-904-6868
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.