Career Guide: Midwifery

Midwifery, as known as obstetrics, is the health science and the health profession that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period (including care of the newborn), besides sexual and reproductive health of women throughout their lives. In many countries, midwifery is a medical profession (special for its independent and direct specialized education; should not be confused with a medical specialty, which depends on a previous general training). A professional in midwifery is known as a midwife. As primary care providers, midwives may be the first point of entry to maternity services, and are fully responsible for clinical decisions and the management of care within their scope of practice.

Midwives provide the complete course of low-risk prenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care, including physical examinations, screening and diagnostic tests, the assessment of risk and abnormal conditions, and the conduct of normal vaginal deliveries. Midwives work in collaboration with other health professionals and consult with or refer to medical specialists as appropriate. The midwifery model of care promotes normal birth, enables women to make informed choices, and provides continuity of care and support throughout the childbearing experience. Midwives attend births in hospitals, birth centers and at home.

About the Guide

This Career Guide provides guidance to people facing a variety of career challenges. These challenges may include dealing with redundancy, seeking a new job, changing careers, returning to work after a career break, building new skills, personal and professional development, going for promotion, and setting up a business. The common aim of the career guide, whatever the particular situation of the individual being guided, is normally to help that individual gain control of their career and, to some extent, their life. This comprehensive resource has been developed to provide you with a road map for your particular area of interest to shape the career as a Midwife. Whether you are looking for that entry-level position, growing in your respective field, or making a career transition, the means to accomplish your goals are within this resource. The Career Guide looks at what a midwife is, the roles and responsibilities they carry out and the essential qualities needed to succeed.