Do You Need a Midwife?
Interview with Midwife Ivonne on Finding the Right Support
Many mums-to-be wonder whether they really need a midwife – especially if they’re unsure what midwives actually do. We sat down with our trusted midwife Ivonne Teufl to ask her some important questions about her profession, her role, and how midwives support expectant parents throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Dear Ivonne, tell us: What exactly does a midwife do?
Midwives primarily work with expectant parents to create the best conditions for a positive birth experience. They also provide support throughout pregnancy in the following areas:
- Fertility and conception advice
- Pregnancy consultations
- Antenatal and postnatal classes
- Prenatal check-ups
- Acupuncture, kinesio taping and homoeopathy
- Support during birth and stillbirth
- Postnatal care at home
- Ongoing follow-up support for mothers and babies
As you can see, a midwife’s role is incredibly diverse. From pregnancy to birth and into the postpartum period, midwives play an essential role. Many midwives work independently, while others are employed in maternity wards—and quite a few do both.
How would you describe your day-to-day as a midwife?
When women ask me what my job is like, I usually describe it like this: “Midwives support mums-to-be throughout pregnancy and birth. We are highly trained medically and always keep a close eye on the health of both mother and baby. Preparing for birth with a professional midwife is honest, realistic, and medically sound. I see every expectant mother as an individual—and every pregnancy as a true miracle.”
When is the best time to start looking for a midwife?
It’s often recommended to start looking for a midwife early. Once your estimated due date is known, you can reach out to a midwife near you. Personally, I suggest beginning your search after the 12th week of pregnancy—that’s usually soon enough.
Do you really need a midwife for birth?
I recommend that EVERY mum-to-be attends an antenatal class led by a midwife. Why? Because having a basic understanding of the birth process helps you approach it with more confidence and calm—creating the ideal conditions for a smoother, more positive birth experience.
Who should take an antenatal class and why is it worth it?
Martina, one of the mums-to-be in my exercise class, recently told me, “I’d rather not know too much about birth—I think it would scare me.” My answer? “Knowledge empowers you for birth. It helps you make informed decisions. And thanks to your antenatal class, you’ll definitely know what to pack in your hospital bag!”
Martina did end up joining a class—and she didn’t regret it. She arrived at the hospital calm and confident, and had a peaceful, natural birth. She even brought a playlist and wireless headphones to help her relax during contractions.
Martina’s partner was also glad for the comfy joggers and slippers that made it into their hospital bag thanks to the class! After the birth, her feedback to me was: “Thanks for the tip about the sports bottle and electrolytes—I felt so much better!” Mission accomplished: happy family, happy midwife.
Do you need a midwife for postpartum care?
As soon as a new mum comes home from hospital with her baby, more questions usually arise—especially during that very first night. These common questions often revolve around newborn care, breastfeeding or weight gain.
What does a midwife do during the postnatal period?
In the weeks following birth, a midwife becomes a vital source of reassurance for any new mother. Whether it’s answering questions or providing support, your midwife can offer professional, practical advice to help ease any uncertainty and make daily life with your newborn more manageable.
Are there male midwives?
Men have been officially allowed to train as midwives since 1995. But the profession is still largely female—I personally only know of two male midwives in Austria.
Finding the right midwife isn’t always easy. Do you have any tips for our readers?
Your midwife should be someone you feel comfortable with. There are websites where you can search based on your location and filter by services like acupuncture, postpartum care, and more. Finding the right midwife is easier than you think!
All the best, yours, Ivonne
Finding the Right Midwife
When a new life is on the way, excitement is high! But of course, pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery and breastfeeding can bring unique challenges. That’s why it’s so reassuring to have a midwife – an expert in maternity care – by your side.
Here at Fellhof, we now offer helpful tips and trusted advice from midwife Ivonne on everything to do with pregnancy and birth. Happy reading!
