Midwife Options

Midwives have attended women in labor and birth for centuries. This age-old profession can be attained by following three different career paths. Even though there are different types of midwives, they share the common goal of supporting women who desire to have a natural birth. Most midwives encourage women to educate themselves on pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. They advise their clients in excellent prenatal nutrition and exercise, and respect their choices.

Certified Nurse Midwife

• A Certified Nurse Midwife can attend births in hospitals, birth centers or home birth settings.

  A CNM, or Certified Nurse Midwife, is an RN who has completed graduate work in midwifery. She can obtain hospital privileges when working with an obstetrician for emergency back up. She provides all prenatal care, and attends the mother-to-be in labor and birth. She is qualified to do postpartum care and well woman check ups. Many CNMs also attend births outside the hospital, such as in a birthing center or home birth setting. The level of emergency backup varies between midwives. A CNM can provide excellent prenatal and antepartum care for women who seek a natural birth, but want the assurance of training in modern nursing practices. One disadvantage is the limitations set on midwives by their backup obstetrician or hospital.

Certified Professional Midwife

• Certified Professional Midwives are home birth midwives who are recognized by their state.

  A CPM, or Certified Professional Midwife, has completed a set curriculum and training as an apprentice. She has passed state board exams and is recognized by her state of residence as a midwife. She does not have hospital privileges. Her practice is limited to home births. A competent CPM educates her client on a prenatal diet and prepares for birth by doing prenatal exercise. She supports the woman and her partner in their choices regarding childbirth practices and customs and encourages them to take comprehensive childbirth classes. Not all states have a program for Certified Professional Midwives.

Direct Entry Midwife

• Direct Entry Midwives are trained in an apprenticeship and attend home births.

  The lay midwife or direct entry midwife receives her training almost solely through the apprenticeship model of training. She assists a senior midwife in prenatal care, labor and birth support. She may have completed a distance or correspondence course in addition to her hands on training. Many direct entry midwives work as assistants for years before working as the senior midwife. Their emergency backup varies, as does their level of expertise and skill. They encourage their clients to take responsibility for their own birth safety and experience. They attend home births as the primary midwife, and some offer doula services for clients wishing for more support in a hospital setting.

Advantages to Midwifery Care

• Midwife means "With Woman." A caring, competent midwife takes that creed seriously.

  While midwives can have a diverse background in training and skill levels, most midwives agree on the essentials of prenatal nutrition, exercise and autonomy for the pregnant woman. They respect birth and acknowledge the importance of having choices in childbirth. They encourage women to educate themselves about prenatal care and childbirth options. They empower women to take responsibility for their health and that of their babies. The word midwife means "With Woman." A caring, competent midwife takes that creed seriously.