Unlike obstetricians, they provide nutritional counselling and support for psycho-social issues. In urban areas, emergency services are expeditiously obtainable. While there is the chance that a rare, but critical emergency might occur during the birth where hospital services may not be able to be obtained quick enough, many complications can be diagnosed and corrected prenatally. Should they occur during the birth or postpartum, they can be remedied by an experienced midwife at the bedside. Homebirth midwives are trained to know when an emergency requires medical interface and can provide stabilizing measures until critical care can be obatined.
Homebirth midwives have the training, equipment and medicine to handle complications.
In case of fetal distress in labor or breathing problems after birth, oxygen is brought to the home to give to mother or baby, as well as resuscitation equipment. If a woman has a laceration that needs repair, a midwife is trained in suturing. The homebirth midwife's birth kit includes homeopathic remedies and herbs, medicine to control bleeding, and IV fluid set up. However, many of these interventions, which are routinely used in most hospitals, are used if needed in a home setting. Homebirth midwives have a doctor they consult with or transfer care to in case a complication or emergency develops and transport to a hospital is required.