What is a midwife?

[Karennnnn]

You know. I have preggo brain. My sister asked me what exactly is a midwife and I couldn't think of too much to tell her isn't that AWFUL!!!!! I mean here I am, my life's mission to have a home birth with a midwife and I can't even tell the girl what one is. She's expecting too, we're like a week and a half apart. I'm suggesting a midwife since I think she'll get more personal care and special attention rather than an ob. I know some midwifery practices can be like ob ones where you wait an hour just to be seen for 10 minutes, but the vast majority isn't like that; it should be the opposite.
So if anyone knows of some great articles here on Mothering, or on the net please point me to them.
LOL all I can think of is "Midwife means with woman". I cannot WAIT for the fog to lift off of my brain.
Karen

[Meli65]

Tell me about it! I can't find anything!

But I can find stuff on the web; here is a quote about midwifery:

The philosophy of nurse-midwifery care "is focused on the needs of the individual and family for physical care, emotional and social support and active involvement of significant others according to cultural values and personal preferences."

Here's the website:http://www.midwife.org/focus/

I'm sure you can find much better stuff, too. Need to go focus on dh though. Good luck!