Since
1990, the number of women giving birth with a midwife has doubled, signaling a
growing trend among women who seek a more natural -- as opposed to medical --
childbirth. While
only 4 percent of women gave birth with a midwife in 1990, 8 percent of women
chose a midwife in 2003, according to the Pregnancy
and birth are expensive when it comes to medical care, so insurance coverage
plays a major role in the decision for a lot of families. Many insurance
companies do cover the use of a midwife, as long as she is licensed and working
in a hospital or birthing center. Coverage for midwives who are not certified,
or who work outside of a hospital setting, is less widespread and varies by
state and health plan. However,
the major reason why most families chose a midwife was to experience a more
natural birth. Contrary to traditional hospital births, midwives generally
encourage using drug-free, natural methods of childbirth. Those who
have used a midwife describe the experience as soothing and private, and say
having the freedom to go through labor and give birth in a way that feels
comfortable to them, such as in a bathtub, was empowering. Yahoo News May 30, 2006
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