9 Things You Should Know About Midwives

When you think of the word midwife, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, your thoughts will immediately flash to home births, herbs, and non-medicated labor. And you’re not entirely wrong – but midwives are so much more than that. So, who are midwives? And what do they do?

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9 things you should know about midwives

Midwives are for everyone (with a uterus)

Midwives are healthcare professionals who specialize in reproductive care. They’re most commonly associated with catching babies, which is the preferred midwifery term for “delivering” babies. (Babies are caught – pizzas are delivered!) All midwives can assist with pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum care. They are the experts in low-risk birth. Depending on the midwife and their skills, certifications, and interests, they can help with fertility, lactation, gynecological care, and more. 

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Midwifery care improves outcomes

Midwifery care has been shown to decrease the use of interventions, lower the cesarean birth rate, and improve outcomes for birthing parents and their newborns. Pregnant people also report higher satisfaction rates with their birth experiences when cared for by a midwife. That doesn’t mean emergencies won’t happen and interventions won’t be needed. But the continuity of care, longer appointment times, and individualized care all contribute to an empowering healthcare experience.

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There are different types of midwives

There are many titles and educational backgrounds that midwives may have. Still, you’ll generally interact with one of two types of midwives: certified nurse-midwives and certified professional midwives.

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) have nursing degrees and either a master’s or doctorate in midwifery care. They are licensed to work in hospitals and catch babies in all 50 states. In addition to catching babies, CNMs can provide all manner of reproductive health care, from prescribing birth control to administering abortions. 

In addition to CNMs, you may start to see more Certified Midwives (CMs). This is a relatively new designation but roughly equivalent to a CNM.

Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)

Certified professional midwives (CPMs) go by different names in each state. Some call them licensed midwives, traditional midwives, or community midwives; the list goes on! CPMs are considered direct-entry midwives, meaning they don’t go through nursing school. Most CPMs go through midwifery programs followed by an apprenticeship. These midwives often catch babies in birth centers and at-home births.

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Midwives work in hospitals, too

While it’s true that you are most likely to have a midwife by your side if you choose to give birth at home or at a freestanding birth center, midwives also work in hospitals! You will most likely see a CNM in a hospital or medical clinic. Very few states give hospital privileges to CPMs.

Remember that what a midwife can do may also depend on their certifications and training combined with state laws and regulations. For instance, midwives can perform ultrasounds, but ultrasound training is not always included in their education. They may need extra training to perform specific tasks. In addition, some states heavily restrict midwifery care, while others are more progressive. 

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Yes, you can get an epidural with a midwife!

If you’re giving birth in a hospital setting with a midwife, you can absolutely get an epidural. (And no, your midwife will not try to talk you out of it or look down on you if you decide you want one.) Midwives practice shared decision-making, which means they’ll give you information about the benefits and risks and then let you decide what’s best for you, your body, and your baby. 

One reason you might not want an epidural is that it limits the number of positions you can labor in. Your midwife won’t shame you for wanting pain relief, but they’ll make sure you know what the drawbacks are so you can make an informed decision. They can also provide options for alternative pain relief methods, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological.

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Midwives care for your body and mind

A midwife isn’t only interested in your pregnancy and how it’s progressing. They are interested in your mental, physical, and emotional health and acknowledge that each of those things may impact your pregnancy. Midwives don’t look at reproductive care in a box: they consider everything from stress to nutritional needs to domestic violence or trauma when providing you care. And while a midwife might not be a mental health professional or a nutritionist, they will happily guide you to other providers or community organizations who can assist you with different needs.

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Midwives are involved in collaborative care

Alas, midwives cannot do everything. They are not trained in surgery (such as c-sections), and there are some pregnancy-related conditions they are not always equipped to handle. In these cases, they will bring in other specialists where needed, so you get the right type of care. This is called the “collaborative care” approach.

An OB or Maternal-Fetal Medicine doctor (MFM) is exactly who you want on your birth team if you have gestational diabetes, for instance. Gestational diabetes is one of many complications that might pop up that requires collaborative care. Most of the time, a midwife can still be your primary care provider. However, you’ll still need to see a specialist to help manage your gestational diabetes.

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Midwives can care for you even if you’re not pregnant

One of the less well-known parts of getting care from a CNM is that they can provide routine reproductive care. This means they can prescribe birth control and perform annual gynecological exams. Even if you’re not pregnant and not planning to become pregnant, anyone with a uterus can still get whole-person, individualized reproductive care from a midwife.

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Midwifery care is for you

Midwifery care is full of benefits, but the biggest one is that it centers around you. Midwives work to provide individualized care that respects each person’s unique healthcare needs. So whether you want a hospital-based birth with an epidural or you’re hoping for a non-medicated waterbirth in your living room, there’s a midwife out there who’s ready to take care of you. 

Interested in midwifery care? Visit Quilted Health for information on midwife-led care, pregnancy education, and more.