Midwife - Bethesda, MD

What is Midwifery?

Midwifery is a practice that provides a broad range of reproductive, sexual, and primary care services. While historically the term midwife has referred to a woman who assisted during pregnancies and childbirth, midwives today offer gynecological, preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care, as well as care for newborn infants. In 2012, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) acknowledged midwives can also provide services for gender non-conforming and transgender individuals. Midwives may undergo medical training and licensing to become certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) or certified midwives. In 2019, about 1 in 10 of US births were attended by a CNM or certified midwife. Midwives may provide care in a hospital, private birth center, or in-home setting. Frequent midwifery treatments and services include, but are not limited to:

Family planning and contraception
Labor and delivery, including monitoring labor progress and aiding throughout the delivery process
Postpartum services
Education, such as classes or seminars for expectant mothers on lactation (breastfeeding)
Gynecologic exams and infection treatment
Menopausal and premenopausal treatment
Newborn infant care

While certified nurse midwives may attend deliveries within a hospital team and setting, other midwives typically operate apart from doctors. If a pregnant individual expects delivery complications, it is advised they receive treatment from a doctor, or only visit a midwife as supplementary care to clinical services. Midwives may collaborate with obstetricians, gynecologists, neonatal specialists and nurses, perinatologists, physical therapists, nurses, and dietitians.