Midwifery is a broad term that means so many things, in so many types of practices around the world. Midwives can have very different training backgrounds and work in very different settings — from women’s homes, to huge hospitals.
But the classic midwifery model of care is all rooted in the same belief that childbirth is a partnership between a woman and her provider, and that watchful waiting can be as important as intervening when complications arise. Sometimes that means helping a woman have a vaginal birth with no pain medication if that is what she wants; other times it means holding a mother’s hand while she undergoes a C-section with an OB-GYN.
"You can see this midwife's birth supplies in the background, but her tools were down for this moment. Here, her focus was providing physical and emotional support."
"After a last-minute switch in birth plans, from home birth to hospital, due to high blood pressure, this midwife made the catch of her life — her first grandchild!"
"So much joy for this mama as she realized that she was going to be raising three boys. She birthed her baby at home in the presence of two midwives who are truly like family — they have supported her through two of her three deliveries."
"Midwives are the best at providing comfort."
"This midwife is guiding this first-time mother through the last bit of transition. She met her baby less than an hour later."
"This midwife helping this mother breastfeed newborn twins, between the tangle of wires and tiny legs."
"This baby was breach even after hard work trying to get him to turn. She risked out of the birth center where she'd hope to deliver, but still had her midwife as part of her team. She accompanied her into the OR."
"This first-time mom couldn't have been more proud to meet her baby. The hospital midwife knew this moment would mean so much to them, so she made sure they were able to take a good long look into their baby's face."
"This mother was told she wouldn't have anymore children after treatment for breast cancer and surprised everyone with her miracle baby. She told me: '[My midwife] was an amazing support during my miracle baby's arrival...she always knew just what I needed to get through the next step of my labor process.'"
"This mama, on the right, labored hard. She was exhausted and decided it was time for an epidural. Her midwife lovingly guided her through this time and gave her the confidence she needed to bring her baby into the world."
"Here, the midwife is working to encourage the baby to move out of the posterior position while the mom labors through transition."
"I have been blessed to work with many midwives, and I am constantly blown away by their flexibility and willingness to adapt to any changes during birth. This first-time mom expected to deliver in the hospital, but when things moved faster than anticipated her midwifery team determined it was best to set up for an impromptu home birth. They helped safely deliver a sweet baby girl into her momma's hands in the bedroom!"
"This mother had planned on a home birth, but opted to be induced at a hospital because of medical issues that developed during the pregnancy. Her home birth midwife and the hospital midwife, who were both at her bedside during her labor, worked together beautifully to support her."
"Here, this midwife is helping her client get a good first latch. This mother had to be transferred in to the hospital from her home birth because her labor was stalling, but her midwife never left her side. This image was taken after they'd been together through 30 hours of labor."
"Support!"
"This mom, dad and midwife are all laughing because the mom had her baby before she even made it to the birthing center. She had dreamed of this amazing, serene birth — and ended up on a small table in an exam room. At that point, all you can do as a midwife is support your patient."
"This images is of one my favorite midwives. She is helping mom through one of the last transitions. As you can see, she is calm and 100 percent committed to the mom."
"This midwife is timing contractions and taking notes during a home birth."
"After a quick second labor for this mom, her midwife lifts her baby out of the birth tub with her husband and mom looking on."
"This midwife is doing a newborn check-up of a little baby boy. She was so gentle with him that he slept throughout the examination, and because this was a home birth, the check up was done on mom and dad's bed. You can see dad gently stroking baby's head."
"Midwives provide such crucial support throughout labor."
"This photo is from postpartum phase of home birth, and it shows something midwives are very good at — listening! A mother needs to be heard and oftentimes the magic of a midwife is that she takes the time to listen."
"This was an absolutely amazing birth. The mom did an incredible job with the support of her husband, doula and amazing midwife at a birthing center. She even helped pull her own baby out!"
"Such great team work from these midwives providing back pressure support and attempting to rotate the baby's position using Rebozo sifting techniques, all while the doula looks provides emotional comfort and support."
"This is from a very long birth, and the midwife had had an especially busy day. Even though it was after 3 a.m. when this woman delivered her baby, the midwife provided compassionate care in the most calm and soothing manner."
"Checking on baby after delivery!"
"In our small country (I'm Dutch) it's very normal to give birth at home. After a birth, this midwife is downstairs with her assistant to give the new big sister her breakfast, while they do the final paperwork and take a break after all the hard work."
"This mom had a difficult first labor that resulted in an emergency C-section. During her second labor, her midwife played a vital role in easing any fears she had from the previous birth."
"Postpartum visits can be so much more than just a check-up. With this clinic, it's a friendly smile, a big hug and healthy snacks — maybe even a ride to parenting classes."
Captions from photographers have been edited and condensed.
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1. Your Blood Volume Increases
During pregnancy, the volume of blood in a woman's body increases by a whopping 50 percent in order to help support the uterus. Accordingly, the amount of blood pumped by the heart increases as well. As the Merck Manual explains, by the end of pregnancy, a woman's uterus receives one-fifth of her pre-pregnancy blood supply.
2. You Actually Glow
If you find yourself looking all dewey and glow-y during your pregnancy, it's not just because you're brimming with I'm-about-to-become-a-mom sentiment; there's also a physiological basis for it. The aforementioned increase in circulation that occurs during pregnancy causes many women's faces to appear brighter, or flushed. And, as the American Pregnancy Association reports, as women's bodies produce more hormones, their oil glands can go into overdrive, resulting in that famed pregnancy glow.
3. You Grow An Entire Organ
During pregnancy, women's bodies grow a whole new organ, i.e., the placenta -- a structure that develops in the uterus and provides oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby (while also playing a key role in waste removal). The organ typically grows onto the upper part of the uterus and is linked to your baby via the umbilical cord. After your baby's born and the placenta's job is done, it is simply expelled through the birth canal (although some women, including a growing number of celebs, then ingest it for its reputed health benefits -- a practice known as "placentophagia").
4. You Loosen Up
More specifically, as you move through your pregnancy, hormones (especially the aptly named "relaxin") help soften the ligaments that hold your bones together and the pelvic bones themselves begin moving to accommodate your baby's birth. Sometimes, this can cause a bit of pain and discomfort (if it's severe enough, you should see your doctor), although as What To Expect reports, once your baby is born, your joints will firm up again.
5. You Stop Shedding
Do you have the thickest, most amazing head of hair, like, ever? During pregnancy you stop shedding hair at it's normal rate. As Baby Center explains, most of the time between 85 and 95 percent of the hair on your head is growing, while the rest is in a "resting" stage, before it falls out. But during pregnancy, higher estrogen levels extend that growth phase, meaning you lose less hair and may suddenly find yourself with a gloriously thick ponytail. (Although, as we previously reported, after your baby's born, that "extra" hair will fall out.)
6. You Breathe Differently
It's not uncommon for pregnant women to feel short of breath, particularly later in their pregnancy when the uterus grows and begins to press on the diaphragm. But breathing also changes because of the high levels of the hormone progesterone in your body signal your brain to lower the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, Merck explains -- yet another amazing example of all the things your body does to support and accommodate a growing baby.
7. You Become Particularly Orgasmic
As Babble explains, the increased blood flow to a woman's genitals -- plus the general surge in any number of hormones that influence desire -- can make many pregnant women feel libidinous. And those changes can also increase sensitivity, allowing many women to orgasm more easily. But as with all things related to sexuality, this is totally individual -- some women want nothing to do with sex while they're pregnant.
!["This mother was told she wouldn't have anymore children after treatment for breast cancer and surprised everyone with her miracle baby. She told me: '[My midwife] was an amazing support during my miracle baby's arrival...she always knew just what I needed to get through the next step of my labor process.'"](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xmeXZzdMoBENqsJq_rKOtQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/59d7db312d000097173090ed.jpg)
