What is a Midwife? (Guest Post)

This post is written by Erica Moss. Erica is the social media outreach coordinator for the online Masters in Nursing program at Georgetown University, which has one of the nation’s leading nursing education programs. Outside of work, Erica is an avid dog lover who loves photography and meeting new people.

One of the most common misconceptions about midwives is that they only handle childbirth. In fact, midwives are part of the entire birthing process, from pre-natal care and counseling, through the delivery to post partum care. Midwives work to identify the individual and family needs of each patient, and counsel and support mothers, not only physically, but also emotionally and socially. In addition to involvement with pregnancies, midwives also perform annual gynecological exams, care during menopause and other normal obstetrical functions.

Midwives come in different forms depending on education and practice. They fall into two larger groups: nurse-midwives and direct-entry midwives, and the differences between them are important.

Nurse-midwives are highly trained as both nurses and midwives. This requires a Bachelor’s degree at a minimum, but the trend is increasingly towards requiring a Master’s degree in nursing. If they meet certain criteria, they qualify for the Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) credential, which is governed by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Those criteria include completion of an ACNM-accredited university program in midwifery, a Bachelor’s degree and passing the ACNM examination. CNMs are legal to practice in all states and, because of their credentials as nurses, usually work in hospitals and birth centers.

Direct-entry midwives are not trained as nurses, and their practical and legal ability to operate can vary greatly. Direct-entry midwives usually practice in patients’ homes and cannot use pharmaceuticals, instead relying on techniques like massage and herbal treatments. Direct-entry midwives must go through certification processes, though these do not require the same training as a nurse-midwife program. Many states offer a Licensed Midwife distinction, and the North American Registry of Midwives administers a Certified Professional Midwife certification. These require passing written and skills tests, as well as meeting other criteria, like having out of hospital birth experience.

For those looking for a different experience with female care and childbirth, midwives can be a great choice. Many women prefer a midwife’s close focus on the patients needs throughout the childbearing process, and the total care and attention they receive. Still, mothers should understand the differences between the different types of midwives. Some patients might prefer in-home care and opt for a direct-entry midwife, but should still inquire into the midwife’s level of training and certifications.