Midwife means, “with woman.”  Before there were physicians, midwives were “with woman” as the primary healers in their communities, the medicine women of their neighborhoods and cultures.  Midwives were the nutritionists, herbalists, doctors, ministers, counselors all rolled into one ‘profession’, assisting women and their families throughout history.

Today, Texas licensed midwives are skilled professionals who assist healthy women during the childbearing cycle from pregnancy through postpartum.  A midwife offers expert, individualized care, education, counseling, and support to a woman and her newborn throughout the childbearing cycle. A skilled midwife cares for each woman and her family while keeping her individual physical, social, and emotional needs in mind.  When the care required is outside her scope of practice or expertise, the midwife refers her client to other health care providers for consultation or care.

Midwives view pregnancy and birth as healthy, normal events in a healthy woman’s life.  Because midwives feel strongly about a woman’s right and responsibility to make educated decisions to determine her own health care, they facilitate that process through education and support.