A professional person who helps a woman give birth to a child, often at home.
A person, usually a woman, who assists a woman during pregnancy and childbirth. Most often today, the term refers to a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), who meets training and licensing requirements set by various states. Midwives without formal training or certification, though they may have extensive practical experience, are called lay midwives and are allowed to practice in only a few states.
Person who assists women in labor and childbirth.
A person trained to assist women in childbirth. Midwives typically provide care and education to women during the prenatal period, through labor and delivery, and after the birth of the baby. They promote a noninterventional process of childbirth. While minimizing drug use, they use other approaches to labor pain management such as relaxation methods and breathing techniques. Midwives often handle home deliveries and assist in birthing centers, where they work with a physician.
A member of the profession which provides care and advice during pregnancy, supervises the mother’s labour and delivery, and cares for her and the baby after birth. Should a pregnancy or labour develop complications, the midwife will seek medical advice. Most midwives are registered general nurses who have also done an 18-month course in midwifery. Trained midwives are registered with the UK Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMCC) and practice in hospitals, health units or at patients’ homes.
An individual other than a physician who is trained to assist during childbirth. Although there are lay midwives, who often do not have formal training, nurse-midwives are registered nurses who have taken special postgraduate training in gynecology and obstetrics to be qualified to care for women before, during, and after childbirth.