Midwives – a midwife palpates a pregnant woman’s tummy in the treatment room
Birth

Midwives – support for mother and baby

A midwife is far more than just someone who helps you during the birth. What specific forms of support does she provide for parents? And what’s the best way to find one? What is the difference between a midwife and a doula? Read this article for answers to these questions and more.

Nicole Stadelmann
 5 Min. Reading Time
  • Short and simple
    Midwives help women during pregnancy.
    They also help during the birth and the period afterwards.
    Midwives explain many things and help the parents to feel secure.
    There are various types of midwife.
    You should look for a midwife as early as possible.

The birth of a child is one of the most exciting events in life. Midwives play a key part in it. A midwife supports the mother-to-be during the pregnancy and the birth; they also give advice during the postnatal and breastfeeding periods. Switzerland has a large number of experienced midwives who can be on hand to provide you with the information and care you need.

Midwives are experts in maternity. They provide women and families with personalised support on their journey into the new phase of life, taking care of many tasks and giving a sense of security and support during the pregnancy, the birth, the postnatal period and breastfeeding. 

Help for mother and baby: the duties of a midwife

Midwives already look after and support parents-to-be during the pregnancy. Pregnancy care by a midwife includes: 

  • Regular antenatal check-ups (including for high-risk pregnancies)

  • Ad-hoc check-ups as prescribed by a doctor

  • Advice on problems during pregnancy and choosing where and how to give birth

Midwives – a midwife auscultates a newborn baby with a stethoscope

During the birth, the midwife is an important source of support for the mother-to-be. Her tasks include monitoring the progress of the birth, checking the baby’s heartbeat and providing support in the form of breathing techniques, massages and advice on birthing positions. In the process, she ensures the mother and child’s safety and looks after them empathetically – be it in a hospital, a birth centre or at home.

The midwife continues to assist and advise the parents after the birth. Among her tasks during this period are

  • Postnatal care, including guidance on baby care and breastfeeding

  • Follow-up checks on the mother, which continue for six to ten weeks after the birth

In addition, some midwives offer prenatal classes and postnatal exercise classes.

Midwives in Switzerland: how to find the right person of trust

Finding the right midwife can be a challenging task. The midwife’s training is a key factor here, as it provides the foundation for high-quality care during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Experienced midwives do not just offer medical support; they also provide comprehensive advice tailored to the individual needs of the mothers-to-be and the babies. Midwives’ area of activity varies depending on where they work and which supplementary qualifications they have.

  • Freelance midwives

Freelance midwives look after women during the pregnancy, home birth and the postnatal period. If you would also like to have your midwife with you at the hospital or birth centre, you should find out whether this is possible at an early stage. It is not always possible for freelance midwives to attend births in hospitals and birth centres.

  • Attending midwives

Attending midwives look after families during the pregnancy, the birth and the postnatal period – alone or as part of a team. They work together with a hospital or birth centre and bring in the medical team when required. Attending midwives are there during the birth in hospital or at a birth centre. As a result, families with an attending midwife are looked after by the same person from the pregnancy through the birth to the postnatal period.

  • Hospital midwives

These midwives are employed by the hospital. They look after the pregnant woman during and in the first few days after the birth, for as long as the mother and child remain in hospital. A freelance midwife then takes over for the continuing care at home. As hospital midwives work shifts, it is possible that a midwife will be replaced by a colleague during the birth. 

When should I start looking for a midwife?

As a mother-to-be, you can decide for yourself whether and to what extent you wish to use the services of a midwife. A midwife can give you a sense of security. If you decide that you would like to have a midwife during the pregnancy and birth, you should start looking for one as early as possible – ideally directly after your positive pregnancy test or your first check-up with your gynaecologist. That way, you will have enough time to get to know different midwives and find the right one for you. 

Where can I find a midwife?

Use the midwife search page provided by the Swiss Federation of Midwives. You can specifically search for midwives near you by entering your location. 

Your gynaecologist should also be able to give you some useful recommendations in this regard. Another good tip is to ask around among your family and friends.

A doula to complement your midwife

Doulas complement the midwife and the doctor but do not perform any medical tasks. They offer emotional support to the couple and create a positive atmosphere for the birth so that it can be as fulfilling an experience as possible. The costs of a doula are not covered by the basic insurance. To find out more about the tasks and costs of doulas, go to the website of the Swiss Association of Doulas.  

The midwife – what does the health insurance pay?

The basic insurance covers special maternity benefits, which in some cases are also provided by midwives, as well as the midwife’s services. These include check-ups, antenatal classes and breastfeeding consultations, for example. Home visits from the midwife after the birth are also covered.
A pregnant woman sits on the sofa with her laptop and paperwork

 Which benefits are covered by your health insurance for maternity?

Go to our overview of benefits for pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. There you will find detailed information on the benefits provided by your basic health insurance and CONCORDIA’s supplementary insurance policies. You can also find out more about the cost contribution.

Go to the overview of benefits

Further information on the topic

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