Midwifery

Nurse-midwifery dates back to 1925 in the United States. Today, all nurse-midwifery programs are at colleges and universities. Most nurse-midwives graduate at the Master's degree level. These programs must be accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) in order for graduates to take the National Certification Examination. Applicants for nurse-midwife programs usually must be registered nurses and have at least 1 to 2 years of nursing experience.

Many studies over the past 20 to 30 years have shown that nurse-midwives can manage most perinatal (including prenatal, delivery, and postpartum) care. They are also qualified to deliver most family planning and gynecological needs of women of all ages.

Our nurse-midwives work with our OB/GYN doctors on cases that include high-risk pregnancies and care for pregnant women who also have a chronic illness.

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are educated and trained to provide a broad range of health care services for women and newborns including:

• Taking a medical history, and doing a physical exam
• Ordering laboratory tests and procedures
• Managing therapy
• Conducting activities that promote women's health and reduce health risks