A nursing midwife is a registered nurse who has completed additional education and training to provide medical services, primarily for expectant mothers. They can act as the primary provider of healthcare services for women and may work in hospitals, private practices, or birth centers. The profession has seen a resurgence in popularity since the 1990s.
More commonly referred to as a certified nursing midwife or CNM, a nursing midwife is a registered nurse who has been certified as an advanced practice nurse. Focused primarily on caring for expectant mothers in good health with excellent prospects for an uncomplicated pregnancy and easy delivery, midwives of this type are fully trained registered nurses who have completed additional education and training that enable them to provide additional medical services. Although the vast majority of midwives are female, there are some men who have entered the profession.
Unlike many other types of nurses, the nurse midwife is able to act as the primary provider of health care services for women. While many of these advanced office nurses focus on women who are expecting, the typical nurse midwife can provide medical care for women of any age. The scope of practice is usually limited by regulations established by local medical boards and state departments that oversee health care within the jurisdiction.
In terms of training, anyone wishing to enter this particular field must be fully trained as a registered nurse, and hold nursing credentials within the jurisdiction in which they plan to practice. In the United States, many state health departments require an applicant to hold a master’s degree in a relevant field, such as a Master’s in Nursing. Specific graduate programs for midwives are under development at several medical schools and are likely to become commonplace over the next decade.
Often, a nursing midwife has the authority to write prescriptions for a limited range of medications and is able to care for patients with minor ailments. Depending on where the midwife is practicing, she may work in a hospital, private practice or even run a private clinic. Nurse midwives are usually attached to birth centers. Some midwives are also trained and licensed in newborn care, a wide range of therapeutic techniques and even basic counseling.
While a nurse midwife may work as part of a team or even independently, it is not uncommon for this type of healthcare professional to also work closely with a particular obstetrician or gynecologist, depending on the midwife’s particular focus. Sometimes this working relationship may be strictly consultative or in the form of a partnership.
While midwifery has a long history of being involved in the labor and delivery processes, the profession began to lose popularity during the latter part of the 19th century. The enhanced training that is required to become a NCM today, coupled with the desire of some women to have their children in a non-hospital setting, has sparked a resurgence of interest in this particular medical profession. Since the 1990s, the number of women opting for natural childbirth with the assistance of a nurse midwife has increased significantly.
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