Thinking about different models of maternity care

See also: Choosing where to give birth: Home

Families don’t often think about different models of care when determining birth plans, but it is wise to do so, said Chandra Lattig of Pregnancy By Design.

Couples will have a better idea of where they would like to give birth once they have determined which model of care—medical or midwifery—they prefer.

Chandra said the medical model, which typically happens in a hospital, offers more standardized care, treating everyone the same because so many people are managed in this model. Reliance on technology is greater under this model, which focuses on diagnosing and treating complications with testing and interventions.

The midwifery model of care is more personalized and focuses on the woman and physiology. Outside intervention is used only when necessary.

“Midwives will induce if needed, but they will try a more natural means before using something like Pitocin,” Chandra said, referring to a synthetic hormone sometimes used to induce delivery.

Midwives focus more on preventive care and teach women how to care for themselves well during pregnancy, which they view as normal and natural.

The midwifery model is less common than the medical model in the United States. Chandra said midwives and home births have been marketed as dangerous and unsafe. Midwives perform around 10 percent of births in the U.S., but not all of those are inside a family’s home.