· Pregnancy and birth are states of normal health, not illness or medical conditions
· Midwives model of care
· Personal care for every mother and baby
· Independent practitioners working directly for families
· Natural, drug-free childbirth and breast feeding are safest for most mothers and infants
· In-home care during and after birth whenever possible
· Inclusion of mother’s family in care-experience as desired
· Free exchange of health ideas and information
· Informed consent
· Sound nutritional counseling
· Self-care
· Parents are the best caretakers/decision makers for their own families
· Mother to mother, woman to woman support
· Pregnancy and birth are spiritual rites of passage that should be treated with respect for the unseen process that occurs along with physical changes
· Continuing education and knowledge of evidence based practices
· Training midwives for future generations