According to studies, spiritual and mental health plays a vital role in the overall physical well-being of a person. That is why the founder of holistic nursing, Florence Nightingale, noted that “nurses should look after the spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being as well as the physical well-being of patients.”
Therefore, holistic nursing combines environmental and medical remedies to treat patients. This makes for an excellent career for those interested in taking a different approach to midwifery. This article will discuss everything you need to know about holistic care in midwifery.
What are the roles of holistic care in midwifery?
Holistic care is similar to regular midwifery in its goals; to facilitate relaxation and pain reduction during labor and delivery, improve cardiovascular health, relieve many traditional pregnancy conditions, and help women avoid epidurals. However, varying methods can be used to achieve this, and the patient has many options to make their pregnancy as comfortable as possible. Holistic care methods could include stress management, lifestyle counseling, breathing techniques, and acupuncture. Some more of the various holistic care methods in midwifery include:
Guided imagery
Guided imagery is a body-mind therapy that uses the power of the patient’s imaginations or visualizations of different mental images to facilitate relaxation and pain reduction.
When guided imagery is used during prenatal, labor, and delivery, the parent-to-be can prepare emotionally and physically. For instance, research shows guided imagery is an effective therapy to reduce stress, anxiety, pain, and depressed mood during labor.
Pregnancy massage therapy
Pregnancy massage is an excellent holistic midwifery care method that ensures a healthy and uncomplicated birth. For instance, it helps maintain a proper posture and alignment caused by the growing fetus. It also increases the flexibility and tone of muscles, making it easier for the parent-to-be to carry additional weight.
Moreover, research conducted by the American Pregnancy Association shows that hormones associated with relaxation and stress reduction are significantly altered when pregnancy massage is introduced to pregnant people. This improves cardiovascular health and promotes an even mood. However, you should understand the risks of prenatal massage and the precautions to take.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is another holistic care method involving warm water immersion during any part of labor, including the late (“pushing”) phase, active labor, or early labor. It is administered as a comfort measure,
offering pain relief and relaxation.
This holistic care can help pregnant patients avoid medical interventions during labor and cope with labor pain. Besides, it helps pregnant people avoid epidurals.
Reflexology
Reflexology is an ancient holistic care method that can benefit laboring, expectant, and newly delivered parents and their babies. Dr. Gowri Motha notes that “reflexology helps relieve many traditional pregnancy conditions, including backache, morning sickness, pelvic girdle pain, muscular fatigue, heartburn, swollen ankles, nausea, and swelling.”
Benefits of learning holistic nursing in midwifery
- Allows midwives to take a more holistic approach to midwifery
Rather than focusing on traditional midwifery practices, holistic nurse midwives focus on helping pregnant people improve their overall well-being and health.
This can be especially rewarding for midwives looking to empower their clients to take control of their health.
- Offers career advancement opportunities
Holistic nurse midwives are in high demand. Most of them have the opportunity to be offered leadership positions and manage programs and teams of other holistic care midwives. Additionally, the salary package of an advanced and experienced holistic nurse midwife is lucrative.
- Opportunity to form a more meaningful relationship with patients
Holistic nurse midwives usually work with pregnant people over a long period. This allows you to create rapport and build trust with your patients, making it easier for them to make lifestyle changes.
- Opportunity to have a direct impact on patients’ overall health and well-being
Unlike traditional midwives, holistic nurse midwives focus on the patient’s social, spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being. This allows expectant parents to have a calm and peaceful childbirth experience.
- Autonomy and Independent Practice Authority
Many holistic nurse midwives provide care without working under the supervision of a physician. This gives you flexibility, allowing you to provide personalized midwifery care.
- Active work experience
Holistic nurse midwives spend most of their time on the road, visiting pregnant patients in their homes and attending births in local health facilities. This makes it a suitable career advancement for anyone who is physically active and does not enjoy being restricted to an office environment.
What are the educational requirements for holistic care midwives?
Most holistic care midwives are registered nurses. This means you must attend a university or college to earn a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree or an ADN (Associate degree in nursing).
So, if you are a registered nurse, you can transition to a holistic care midwife by earning a graduate degree in any of the nurse midwife programs online. This one from Baylor University is ACME-accredited and only takes 15 weeks!
MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) is the most common graduate degree earned by certified holistic care midwives. It takes 18-24 months to complete. DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) is another common graduate degree you can earn. It takes 3-4 years to complete.
Holistic nurse midwife salary and job outlook
The average salary of holistic nurse midwives in the USA is around $105,000. However, the salary varies depending on your employer, experience, education, and geographical location.
You may also be eligible to enjoy health and life insurance, maternity leave, holiday pay, overtime pay, childcare, retirement options, continuing education reimbursement, etc.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the holistic nursing midwifery profession employment is expected to grow similarly to traditional registered nurses. For instance, it is projected to grow by 6% between 2021 to 2031.
Conclusion
Holistic care in midwifery can include reflexology, guided imagery, pregnancy massage, and hydrotherapy. Besides, becoming a holistic care midwife allows you to directly impact women’s overall health and well-being and take a more holistic approach to midwifery. Therefore, if you are a midwife looking to take a different approach in your profession, consider pursuing a career in holistic care midwifery.
