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Midwifery: meaning, definitions and examples

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midwifery

 

[ mɪdˌwɪf.ər.i ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

healthcare profession

Midwifery is a healthcare profession focused on providing care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Midwives are trained to monitor the health of the mother and baby, provide education on prenatal care, and assist in labor and delivery. They can also offer support in the early days of parenting. Midwifery emphasizes a holistic approach to care, recognizing the physical, emotional, and social factors that impact a woman’s experience of childbirth.

Synonyms

childbirth assistance, maternal care, obstetrics.

Examples of usage

  • She decided to pursue midwifery to support women in childbirth.
  • The midwifery model of care prioritizes patient involvement.
  • Many local hospitals have midwifery services available.

Translations

Translations of the word "midwifery" in other languages:

🇵🇹 obstetrícia

🇮🇳 माध्यपुत्री चिकित्सा

🇩🇪 Hebammenwesen

🇮🇩 bidan

🇺🇦 акушерство

🇵🇱 położnictwo

🇯🇵 助産学

🇫🇷 maïeutique

🇪🇸 maternidad

🇹🇷 ebe

🇰🇷 조산학

🇸🇦 القبالة

🇨🇿 porodnictví

🇸🇰 pôrodná asistencia

🇨🇳 助产学

🇸🇮 porodništvo

🇮🇸 fæðingarhjálp

🇰🇿 акушерлік

🇬🇪 დედაჩვენება

🇦🇿 həkimlik

🇲🇽 partería

Etymology

The term 'midwifery' derives from the Old English word 'midwif' meaning 'with woman', which underscores the supportive role midwives have played throughout history in childbirth. The 'mid' prefix denotes 'with', highlighting the midwife's presence during a woman's labor and delivery experiences. The suffix 'wif' comes from the word for woman, reflecting the primary demographic served by midwives. Historically, midwifery has been practiced for centuries, with roots tracing back to ancient civilizations where women assisted each other during childbirth. As medicine evolved, the profession faced challenges and regulations that shifted its perception and practice. In more recent times, there has been a resurgence in midwifery, emphasizing natural childbirth, women's autonomy, and a more personalized care approach, contributing to a growing acceptance of midwifery as a valuable part of maternal healthcare.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,442, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.