[The role of midwife during pregnancy and childbirth]

The profession of midwife, although one of the most ancient professions, remains quite unknown by the Belgian Public. A midwife accompanies and looks after healthy women and their new-born babies in an autonomous and holistic way. She does this since conception, during and after birth and stimulates family integration. She is the guardian of eutocia and stimulates the physiological evolution of the pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She makes her diagnosis based on her professional knowledge, her sensorial competence, her analytic capacity and her experience. She knows the medico-technical requirements, anticipates and reacts in an appropriate way. In order to detect risky situations, she pays attention to complications and refers in time to the most appropriate health professional. The midwife should participate in the evolution of her profession by means of continuing education, and maintain a close collaboration with other health professionals. This profession is part of the healing profession, but the autonomous practice is restricted to physiological motherhood. In Belgium, the profession is regulated by different Royal Decrees. The most important are the Royal Decree no 78 which regulates the health care professions and the Royal Decree of February 1st, 1991 concerning the midwife profession.