Understanding Midwifery Care
A midwife is a health care provider who specializes in female reproductive health care needs. This includes prenatal care, labor, delivery, postpartum care, and newborn care for low-risk pregnancies without complications.
Midwives often work together with doctors to provide comprehensive care. The type of care midwives offer depends on their education, credentials, and where they practice.
In the U.S., pediatricians and OB-GYNs believe that the best pregnancy care involves doctors and certified midwives working as a team.
What Is a Midwife?
A midwife is a health care provider who specializes in female reproductive health care needs, including pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care.
A midwife is a health care provider who specializes in female reproductive health care needs. This includes prenatal care, labor, delivery, postpartum care, and newborn care for low-risk pregnancies without complications.
It may also include other aspects of women's health, such as birth control, family planning, and menopause.
There are different types of midwives with different levels of training. Midwives often work together with doctors, but in some states they might work independently.
What Do Midwives Do?
In the United States, the type of care midwives offer depends on their education, their credentials, and where they practice.
In the United States, the type of care midwives offer depends on their education, their credentials, and where they practice.
There are several types of midwives with different levels of training and certification.
Midwives provide comprehensive care for women during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period.
They work in various settings including hospitals, birth centers, clinics, and can also provide care during home births.
Types of Midwives:
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs): Complete a registered nursing degree (about 4 years), followed by a graduate degree in midwifery (about 2–3 years). Then they pass an exam to get certified. They can provide a wide range of care, including pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care, as well as gynecological care for non-pregnant women. They can receive a license in any of the 50 states. Most midwives in the U.S. are CNMs.
Certified Midwives (CMs): Do not have a nursing degree. They complete an undergraduate degree in a field other than nursing (about 4 years), followed by a graduate degree in midwifery (about 2–3 years). Then they pass an exam to get certified. They provide the same type of care as CNMs and can receive a license to practice in only a few states.
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs): Complete a midwifery program (about 3–4 years), but they don't need to have a degree. They do need to pass an exam to get certified. They focus on providing care to women with low-risk pregnancies who deliver in birth centers or at home. They cannot prescribe medicines or work in a hospital. They can receive a license to practice in many, but not all, states.
Lay or Traditional Midwives: Some midwives have not gone through formal training and are not certified. They may have learned midwifery by studying on their own, by shadowing another midwife as an apprentice, or in other informal ways. They can be licensed in some states, and usually only provide care during home births.
Why Would Someone Need One?
People may choose a midwife because the training and philosophy of care of a midwife more closely aligns with their desires.
Pregnancy care can involve an OB-GYN, a family doctor who does obstetrical care, or a certified midwife (or a midwife and a doctor).
People may choose a midwife because the training and philosophy of care of a midwife more closely aligns with their desires.
Midwives care for women who are in good health and not likely to develop problems during pregnancy and delivery.
Someone whose pregnancy is considered high-risk is not a good candidate for midwife care.
High-Risk Conditions (Not Suitable for Midwife-Only Care):
- Health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease
- Pregnancy with multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)
- A fetus in the breech (feet- or bottom-first) position
- A previous C-section
- Other complications that require specialized medical care
Good to Know
In the U.S., pediatricians and OB-GYNs recommend giving birth in hospitals or birth centers as the safest places for babies to be born.
In the U.S., pediatricians (doctors who specialize in children's health) and OB-GYNs (doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth) recommend giving birth in hospitals or birth centers. Research has shown that these are the safest places for babies to be born.
U.S. pediatricians and OB-GYNs believe that the best pregnancy care involves doctors and certified midwives working as a team.
In some other countries, midwife services are more common for reasons that can be historical, cultural, or related to improving access to care.
Types of Midwives
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)
Complete a registered nursing degree (4 years) + graduate degree in midwifery (2-3 years). Can provide wide range of care including gynecological care. Can practice in all 50 states. Most common type in U.S.
Certified Midwives (CMs)
Complete non-nursing undergraduate degree (4 years) + graduate degree in midwifery (2-3 years). Provide same care as CNMs. Can practice in only a few states.
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)
Complete midwifery program (3-4 years), no degree required. Focus on low-risk pregnancies in birth centers or at home. Cannot prescribe medicines or work in hospitals.
Lay/Traditional Midwives
Informal training through self-study or apprenticeship. Usually only provide care during home births. Licensed in some states.
Key Takeaways
Specialized Care
Midwives specialize in female reproductive health care, including pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care.
Different Types
There are different types of midwives (CNMs, CMs, CPMs) with varying levels of training and certification.
Low-Risk Pregnancies
Midwives care for women with low-risk pregnancies who are in good health and unlikely to develop complications.
Team Approach
The best pregnancy care involves doctors and certified midwives working together as a team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a midwife?
A midwife is a health care provider who specializes in female reproductive health care needs. This includes prenatal care, labor, delivery, postpartum care, and newborn care for low-risk pregnancies without complications. It may also include other aspects of women's health, such as birth control, family planning, and menopause.
What are the different types of midwives?
There are several types: Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) who have a nursing degree and graduate degree in midwifery; Certified Midwives (CMs) who have a non-nursing undergraduate degree and graduate degree in midwifery; Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) who complete a midwifery program but don't need a degree; and lay or traditional midwives who have informal training. Most midwives in the U.S. are CNMs.
What do midwives do?
Midwives provide comprehensive care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. They work in various settings including hospitals, birth centers, clinics, and can also provide care during home births. CNMs and CMs can also provide gynecological care for non-pregnant women.
Who should consider using a midwife?
Midwives care for women who are in good health and not likely to develop problems during pregnancy and delivery. Someone whose pregnancy is considered high-risk (due to health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, multiples, breech position, or previous C-section) is not a good candidate for midwife-only care.
Can midwives work in hospitals?
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs) can practice in hospitals, birth centers, and clinics. Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) cannot work in hospitals and focus on births in birth centers or at home.
Do midwives work with doctors?
Yes, midwives often work together with doctors. U.S. pediatricians and OB-GYNs believe that the best pregnancy care involves doctors and certified midwives working as a team. In some states, midwives might work independently.
Where can midwives practice?
CNMs can receive a license in any of the 50 states. CMs can receive a license in only a few states. CPMs can receive a license in many, but not all, states. Their ability to practice independently depends on the state.
What is the safest place to give birth?
In the U.S., pediatricians and OB-GYNs recommend giving birth in hospitals or birth centers. Research has shown that these are the safest places for babies to be born. The best pregnancy care involves doctors and certified midwives working as a team.
Can I use a midwife if I have a high-risk pregnancy?
Someone whose pregnancy is considered high-risk (due to health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, multiples, breech position, or previous C-section) is not a good candidate for midwife-only care. However, midwives may work as part of a team with doctors to provide care.
Why might someone choose a midwife?
People may choose a midwife because the training and philosophy of care of a midwife more closely aligns with their desires. Midwives often provide a more holistic, personalized approach to pregnancy and birth care.
Important Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider to determine which type of care provider is best for your individual situation.
The choice between an OB-GYN, family doctor, midwife, or a combination of providers should be made in consultation with your healthcare team based on your health status, pregnancy risk level, and personal preferences. Always ensure your care provider is properly licensed and certified in your state.