It seems to me that people think that a caseloading midwife never cares for people who are afraid of childbirth. (both men & women) The truth is, that many of my clients are just as frightened as those in "the system". The difference is, that at each prenatal visit we talk about the issues and how to overcome them. Because women have the opportunity to talk to "their" midwife(s), they are able to access strategies to help them. Sometimes this doesn't happen and they go into labour still afraid. However, they have by this time built up trust in their midwife that she will CARE for them and if necessary, take them to hospital if they need/want and epidural or anything else. They are then able to accept the medicalization of their labour/birth as something they have really chosen for themselves. If they have overcome their fearz in labour (common) then they are empowered by their newly discovered strength. They also know that their midwife will not judge them, but accept the woman's choice. That is the strength of a more personalised service. The correct implementation of NMAP would give ALL women this kind of care and give ALL midwives the thrill of working in this very satisfying way. Cheers, MM
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