Odessa never was lethargic at all. It's not people who don't care' Just as midwives struggle to combat stereotypes of inadequate professional training, expectant mothers choosing midwives often face a stigma of indifference about their babies' well-being. These women are informed about their bodies. The traditional delivery experience with nurses coming and going and the doctor becoming involved only right before actual delivery can be emotionally invasive, she said. Mothers seeking a midwife's personalized care also are opting for a physical environment that feels like home.
Birthing centers are an indication of the trend toward natural, personalized childbirth.
Wood floors, a pine bed, a white wicker bassinet and a bathtub make the room an inviting place for new mothers, Bortell said. I was totally in charge' Conner, like many pregnant women using midwives, preferred her own home to a birthing center. She said she never felt anything but safe during her delivery. The special memories associated with Odessa's birth are, she said, a direct result of her ability to remain totally at ease and in control of the delivery. I was totally in charge.