Observe and strengthen the three pillars of health: body, heart, and mind.

Clinical level: the body

The midwife observes the feminine hormonal reflexes, the musculoskeletal adaptations, the health of the foetal-placental system during pregnancy, the baby’s growth and body development in- and outside of the uterus, the mother’s neurovegetative and haemodynamic adaptations, the presence of a rhythm of activity and rest. Observe and facilitate the best positioning of the baby inside the uterus in preparation for birth.

How? By listening and using hands, palpation, but also through blood- and urine test results, and using the sphygmomanometer, the measuring tape, Pinard’s horn or the ultrasound foetoscope. The midwife may use manual treatments to allow the woman to be well again, to relieve physical discomforts, make contact with the baby in the uterus or one’s own interior peaceful place, reduce stress, soften the body, its scars, tensions, or stagnation.

Emotional and relational level: the heart

The midwife directs the observation to the woman’s relationship. During pregnancy the main focus lies on the mother-baby relationship. The goal is to value and reinforce the pre- and postnatal bonding, legitimise intuition and the person’s deeper feeling, their interior world, and their narration of self. The midwife observes the person’s endogenous resources expressed as affection and support from their family, friends, and community.

How? By listening, using the empathetic- and active listening and focusing techniques to let emotions and feelings emerge and help resolve doubts and uncertainties. The midwife may use manual treatments to let the woman make contact, by touching the body, with hidden emotions and resources, resonate with her inner child, real or metaphorical, loosen emotional tensions, and set free memories that had been engraved in her body.

Behavioural and environmental level: the mind.

The midwife observes the person’s choices and the instinctive behaviours, their lifestyle, their nutritional choices, and their behavioural rhythms. They ask questions in order to know how oriented and informed the woman is with regards to her health choices and helps her to broaden her awareness of self, her options and of the self-determination principle.

How? To achieve this, the midwife uses open questions, active listening, and problem solving, as well as the scientific evidence supporting correct and complete information. The midwife presents plausible scenarios and promotes cultural deconditioning from fear to trust. They act as a risk negotiator in difficult cases, promoting health and relativising the absolute risk to ensure custom care and let the woman perceive the difficulties as manageable.

How does the SEAO midwife help the woman and the couple?

The SEAO midwife helps the woman and the couple strengthen their SOC in regard to the pareting experience by:

1. Orienting. They help the woman and the couple understand what is going on, what are the resources coming into play, and the foreseen- and foreseeable modifications. This increases the comprehensibility of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
2. Conveying manageability. They give the woman and the couple tools to manage their health throughout pregnancy and the baby’s health since the first stages. This improves the sense of control, increases event predictability and, consequently, the parenting skill sense.

Strengthening the motivation. They keep the focus on the importance of deeper meaning hidden behind crises and transformations. They give value and legitimacy to emotions and ambivalences. This helps regain trust and the deeper meaning of what is being faced.