The tradition of midwifery virtually disappeared in Canada during the early part of this century. Several generations of women gave up childbirth at home to the medical profession. They did this in the name of safety and pain relief, or simply because the option of being cared for by a midwife no longer existed. Midwifery should be re-instated as a legal and honourable profession. With healthy pregnancies and under normal conditions, women should give birth at home with the professional assistance of a midwife.

The most common argument against home births and midwifery are perpetuated by the medical establishment. As a profession, they openly oppose to lay midwifery, and as Dr. William Hall, president of the College of Physicians, said, he and the college oppose home births because they feel it is unsafe. (Ramondt, 1990)

Undoubtedly, the medical profession is correct in protesting home births in certain cases. Some pregnancies are difficult and some births are problematic. It is not difficult to concede that there are times when sound medical intervention is a necessity and a blessing. To insist, though, that every birth requires a hospital setting and the attendance o

As well, giving birth at home offers parents and opportunity that hospitals cannot give. At home they are free to create an atmosphere of their own choosing for the birth. These greatly increase the chance for both parents to have a meaningful and personal experience. There is comfort and convenience in having the midwife come to them in surroundings that are familiar and emotionally safe. Eleanor Barrington (1985) states that studies suggest that a mother's biting experience relates to the baby's motor and cognitive development at two and six months of age (p. 122). Feeling good about the birth experience would appear to enhance the mother/child relationship and, consequently, the child's development. This is a consideration that midwives take seriously and is reflected in the quality of care and support that they offer throughout the entire experience.

Finally, a home birth presided over by a midwife is, in the long run, less costly. Alberta Health Care pays physicians $284 for a delivery. This does not include costs for hospitalization, pre- or post-natal care, or any additional costs that may arise out of inducement of labour, cesareans, spinal blocks, or other services. The cost for an average hospital bed per night is $450. With

Some common words found in the essay are:
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