It's also important to note that although midwives are generally assumed to be greater supporters of natural childbirth, they may not be as hands off as some women expect. A great deal of emphasis is placed on trusting the natural process of pregnancy, labor, and birth. All three are viewed as normal, safe, natural events that do not require medical care. Women have the innate ability to give birth to and care for their own babies without a trained medical assistant on hand. By choosing to give birth without medical assistance, women have complete freedom in all aspects of pregnancy and birth and follow the urgings of their own bodies instead of medical doctrine.
Women generally labor and birth at home with their spouse, close family and friends, or alone.
The choice is left up to the pregnant or laboring mother and what she feels is best. Intuition and instinct is used to handle any problems that may arise. Some women choose to have medical backup made available ahead of time in case there is a problem. Other women feel that nature will resolve all issues, and see no need for medical back up. The term high risk is used to define women who have certain pre-determined factors that are believed to make pregnancy and birth more dangerous for them or their babies.