Midwifery

Midwifery

Midwifery is a healthcare profession that focuses on providing comprehensive care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Midwives also play a crucial role in supporting newborn care and assisting mothers with breastfeeding.

A midwife, whether female or male, is the practitioner in the field of midwifery. While the majority of midwives are female, the term applies to both genders. In addition to their role in pregnancy and childbirth, many midwives offer primary care services to women, including reproductive health, gynecological exams, family planning, and menopausal care.

Specializing in low-risk pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, midwives are trained to identify and manage deviations from the norm and certain high-risk situations. Unlike obstetricians, who specialize in medical conditions related to pregnancy and surgical procedures, midwives focus on supporting the natural process of childbirth.

The approaches of midwives and obstetricians can complement each other, but may also differ in some regions. In certain countries, obstetricians tend to adopt an "active management" approach to labor, while midwives prioritize non-intervention unless necessary. Most midwives are skilled in physiological management techniques and understand the importance of utilizing gravity to facilitate labor.

In Malaysia, midwifery falls under the supervision of the Malaysia Midwifery Board, which oversees the registration of Nurses and Midwives who have successfully completed the final examination. The board also handles the issuance of Registration Certificates, Registration Statements, Badges, and duplicate badges to midwives and community nurses. The Malaysia Midwifery Board operates as part of the Nursing Division of the Ministry of Health Malaysia.