Professional midwife-led maternity services backed by obstetrician support achieve similar or better results compared to purely obstetrician-led maternity services. The long duration required to develop a cadre of professional midwives is often an alibi to postpone action. Professional midwives backed up by doctors, as needed, will be well-qualified to render good quality maternal and child care. Very low rates indicate non-availability of obstetric care, while very high rates indicate one or more of several maladies in the system. There, midwives are responsible for the management of women in labour, including private patients delivered by midwives with the personal physician in attendance.

Source: The Hindu May 16, 2016 13:26 UTC