When choosing between a midwife and a doctor, there are many factors that influence the decision. Having a midwife allows you to give birth at home, which is something that mothers may seek. When giving birth, it is important the mother is relaxed and comfortable. What’s better than giving birth in the familiar and soothing environment of one's own home? In addition, you are able to eat and drink freely (not excessively), take hot showers or baths, and you are allowed to be in control of the position you are in. With a midwife at a home birth, there is no rush or pressure to take medications to speed the process of the delivery. There is also no unnecessary interventions that could affect the baby or the process of the delivery. Furthermore, midwives offer more one-on-one time than doctors, which is a quality many mothers, especially first-time mothers look for. Although both doctors and midwives offer physical support, midwives offer a great amount of emotional support as well as advice, since they are in contact with their patients more often. Another reason why a woman would prefer to deliver using a midwife instead of a doctor is: religion. Some religious men and women believe it is only right they seek medical attention with members of their own gender due to the issue …show more content…
It is still in practice today, and while there's positive sides to it, there is also negatives. There has been a long controversial issue with the profession due to people’s perspectives, and the stigma that has been attached to it. Some people view midwives as ignorant women whose unsanitary practices put mothers lives on the line, while others label them as highly skilled health practitioners who have been unfairly victimized by a misogynistic medical establishment (Ladd-Taylor, Midwifery). In the book Midwives, it can be seen on several occasions where doctors express their beliefs that midwifery is far too risky as the midwives do not have the proper training, materials or knowledge to interfere if complications were to