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Midwives view pregnancy as a natural process and usually use as few medical interventions as possible. According to MedicineNet.com “Nurse-midwives generally rely on less invasive methods of pain relief and labor management than obstetricians. They use about 12% fewer interventions, such as episiotomies, epidurals, and electronic fetal monitoring, and their rate for cesarean sections was 8.8%, compared with 13.6% for obstetricians, according to a recent study”(Choosing a Pregnancy). Midwives encourage women to be more involved in the decision making during their pregnancy. Much of their philosophy is summed up in this statement by Jan Kriebs, a certified nurse-midwife, "It's the woman's job to give birth and ours to support her"(Choosing a Pregnancy). Some Midwives will do home-births while others usually deliver in a birthing center or hospital.
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For a healthy birth the estimated cost for delivery:
-In a birthing center with a midwife: 4,000-6,000 -At home with a midwife: 2,500-4,000 This cost usually includes prenatal check-ups (Ellis-Christensen). |
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