Midwife Means “With Woman”

A Midwife specializes in the care of women during the childbearing year.  She cares for the woman prenatally, throughout labor and birth, and also for the mother and baby during the postpartum period.

Midwives are experts in normal birth.  When variations outside normal occur, they provide appropriate care or refer to a specialist.

Midwives are the standard caregivers for pregnant women in most European countries, and in all countries with the best health statistics for pregnant women and newborn babies.

For centuries, midwives have helped women all over the world give birth.

Unlike many states, Idaho doesn't license midwives who attend births at home.  This places the responsibility on the consumer to make sure the midwife is well-qualified and experienced.

Types of Midwives

Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) are nationally certified.  They are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).  They must pass a written exam, a skills assessment, and must document their experience.  Some CPMs have been to midwifery schools; others have learned primarily through an apprenticeship.  Some states use the requirements to become a CPM as the standard for licensing in their states.  CPMs usually attend home births.

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are registered nurses who have had further education in midwifery.  They usually work in hospitals or birth centers.

Licensed Midwives (LM) are non-nurse midwives who are licensed in some states, such as Washington, California, Oregon, and New Mexico.  Licensed midwives usually attend home births.

The Midwifery Model of Care

The midwifery model of care includes:

Respectful Treatment — gentle, nurturing care that respects you, your family, your beliefs, and your decisions about your maternity care.

Personal Attention — prenatal visits that allow plenty of time for questions and answers.  30-60 minutes for each appointment is common.

Safe Care — Studies have shown that for a low-risk mother, maternity care provided by a trained, experienced midwife is a safe option.  Midwife-assisted births have much lower rates of intervention, such as forceps use and cesarean sections.  The midwife consults with a physician whenever a medical condition occurs that could create a problem for the mother and/or baby.  In Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, over 70% of births are attended by midwives.  These countries have lower infant and maternal mortality rates, fewer cesarean births, and lower health care costs than any other countries in Europe or North America.

Cost-Effective Care — It is estimated that $13-$20 billion a year could be saved in health care costs by developing midwifery care, demedicalizing childbirth, and encouraging breast feeding.

Plenty of Information — discussion and education about nutrition, pregnancy, birth, and breast feeding are an ongoing part of your care.  Information about tests, procedures or treatments is reviewed so that you may make informed choices about your maternity care.

Appropriate Monitoring — regular and thorough check-ups and monitoring throughout pregnancy, during labor, and after the birth.  You will be referred to other healthcare specialists or to a different birth setting if necessary.

Confidence in Your Body — no routine treatments or timelines that can interfere with your body's healthy process of giving birth.  Midwives provide support for doing the work of giving birth and trust your body's ability to give birth.

Natural Techniques for Comfort — an emotionally safe environment, encouragement, massage, relaxation, hydrotherapy, and position changes are very effective pain relievers during labor, without side effects for mother or baby.

A Care Provider Who Stays With You — attentive care throughout the labor and birth by the same care providers that you have seen during your pregnancy.  Follow up care after the birth and help with breast feeding is also provided.