Midwife FAQs
What education do midwives have?
Most midwives in the United States have a master’s degree and
are required to pass a national certification exam. There are many
different types of midwives, each holding different certifications
based on their education and/or experience. Certified nurse-
midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) attend
approximately 93% of all midwife-attended births in the United
States, and are required to have a master’s degree in order to
practice midwifery.
Do midwives and physicians work together?
CNMs and CMs work with all members of the health care team,
including physicians. Midwifery care fits well with the services
provided by obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs), who are
experts in high risk, medical complications, and surgery. By
working with OB/GYNs, midwives can ensure that a specialist is
available if a high-risk condition should arise. Likewise, many
OB/GYN practices include midwives who specialize in care for
women through normal, healthy life events. In this way, all women
can receive the right care for their individual health care needs.
Do midwives only focus on pregnancy and birth?
Midwives have expert knowledge and skill in caring for women
through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. But they also
do much more. CNMs and CMs provide health care services to
women in all stages of life, from the teenage years through
menopause, including general health check-ups, screenings and
vaccinations; pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care; well woman
gynecologic care; treatment of sexually transmitted infections; and
prescribing medications, including all forms of pain control
medications and birth control.
Can midwives can prescribe medications and order tests?
CNMs and CMs are licensed to prescribe a full range of
substances, medications, and treatments, including pain control
medications and birth control. They can also order needed
medical tests within their scope of practice and consistent with
state laws and practice guidelines.
Do midwives offer pain relief to women during labor?
Midwives are leading experts in how to cope with labor pain. As a
partner with you in your health care, your midwife will explain pain
relief options and help you develop a birth plan that best fits your
personal needs and desires. Whether you wish to use methods
such as relaxation techniques or movement during labor or try IV,
epidural, or other medications, your midwife will work with you to
help meet your desired approach to birth. At the same time, your
midwife will provide you with information and resources about the
different options and choices available if any changes to your birth
plan become necessary or if you change your mind.
Where do midwives work?
Midwives practice in many different settings, including hospitals,
medical offices, free-standing birth centers, clinics, and/or private
settings (such as your home). In fact, because many women who
choose a midwife for their care wish to deliver their babies in a
hospital, many hospitals in the United States offer an in-house
midwifery service. And because midwives are dedicated to one-
on-one care, many practice in more than one setting to help
ensure that women have access to the range of services they
need or desire and to allow for specific health considerations. In
2012, about 95% of births attended by midwives in the United
States were in hospitals.
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The mission of the American College of Nurse-Midwives is to support midwives and advance the practice of midwifery in order to achieve optimal health for women through their lifespan.