This is a part of an article at: http://www.mymidwife.org/midwifery.cfm
A doctor's opinion. "What's really a shame is that more women aren't afforded the opportunity to deliver with a midwife," says Dr. Terry L. Cole, a California obstetrician. In his 21 years of practice, Cole says, he has "virtually always been associated with midwives."
In his Ventura and Oxnard, California, offices, Cole and two CNMs-Anne Chezar
Garnett and Denise Ellison-serve women from all walks of life. When a low-risk woman comes to Cole, he will meet with her once during her pregnancy, but otherwise she will receive all her prenatal care with the CNMs. Garnett and Ellison share call duties; most women will see both midwives during the prenatal period, so they will be comfortable with either one for the birth. Deliveries take place at one of two nearby hospitals supportive of the midwifery approach. "When a woman goes into labor, she calls the midwife," Cole says. "I'm just called if I'm needed. I'm there for consultation."
Most of the women delivering with his midwives are classified as low-risk. Cole says that he, Garnett, and Ellison can co-manage women with moderately elevated risk, such as those with mild toxemia. And in cases where Cole needs to manage the delivery, one midwife might still be there to offer emotional support.
Cole's confidence in midwives is evident, but the most telling endorsement he offers? "My wife was delivered by midwives. If you are a low-risk patient, you really want a midwife delivering your baby," Cole says. "Anyone who has ever seen a midwife with a woman in labor or been delivered by a midwife would never go back to a doctor."
*taken from "Up Close and personal" by Caroline Kettlewell, Every Baby magazine, Issue Four.
For complete "article" see: http://www.mymidwife.org/midwifery.cfm
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