What is a midwife?
A midwife is a trained professional who helps women during pregnancy, childbirth, and after the baby is born. They focus on making the experience as natural and empowering as possible, supporting not just the physical health of women but also their emotional and psychological well-being.
Duties and responsibilities
Midwives guide women through the entire process of having a baby. They check up on the mom’s health, offer advice on things like nutrition and exercise during pregnancy, and help come up with a birth plan. When it’s time to give birth, they’re there to assist and provide support, stepping in with medical help if needed. They also educate women on family planning and conduct routine health checks.
Work environment
Midwives work in various places: hospitals, special birthing centers, clinics, or even at a family’s home if they’re providing home birth services. They often collaborate with doctors and nurses, especially when pregnancies get tricky.
Typical work hours
Being a midwife means being ready to help deliver a baby at any hour—day or night. Their schedules can be unpredictable because babies come on their own time! However, those in private practice might have more flexibility to manage their work-life balance better.
How to become a midwife
Want to help bring new life into the world? Becoming a midwife is a rewarding path that involves specialized training and a lot of hands-on experience. Here’s how you can start your journey.
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree
Start with a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related health field. This four-year program will teach you the basics of health science, patient care, and medical ethics—everything you need to know to begin your career in healthcare.
Step 2: Become a registered nurse (RN)
After you get your degree, the next step is to become a registered nurse. Getting experience as an RN, especially in labor and delivery, is invaluable and will give you a solid foundation for a career in midwifery.
Step 3: Go for a master’s degree in midwifery
To specialize in midwifery, you’ll need to pursue a master’s degree. This program goes deep into the specifics of childbirth, prenatal care, and postnatal care, building on what you learned during your time as an RN.
Step 4: Complete clinical experience
While studying for your master’s or after you graduate, you’ll do supervised clinical practice. This is where you really learn the ropes, managing all aspects of women’s healthcare under the watchful eyes of experienced professionals.
Step 5: Get certified
Once you’ve completed your education and clinical practice, it’s time to get certified. The Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) credential is a common certification that involves passing a rigorous exam.
Step 6: Obtain a state license
To practice, you’ll need to be licensed in your state. This usually means showing that you’ve got the right education, clinical experience, and passing scores on your certification exam.
Step 7: Gain practical experience
Finally, keep building your skills by working in different healthcare settings like hospitals and birth centers. The more experience you get, the better you’ll become at providing care and support to women during one of the most important times of their lives.
How much do midwives make?
Midwife salaries will vary by experience, industry, education, location, and organization size. The practice setting and the level of independent practice can significantly impact their compensation.
Highest paying industries
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $132,290
- Offices of Physicians: $130,870
- Outpatient Care Centers: $128,930
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: $126,240
- Other Health Practitioner Offices: $125,450
Highest paying states
- California: $159,590
- Utah: $148,980
- Mississippi: $145,890
- Minnesota: $142,650
- Oregon: $141,980
The average national salary for a Midwife is:
$111,100
Types of midwives
Wondering about the different kinds of midwives and what they do? Let’s break down the main types you might encounter.
Direct-entry midwife
Direct-entry midwives often start their careers directly in midwifery, learning through hands-on apprenticeships or self-study programs. They focus primarily on managing pregnancies, helping with labor and delivery, and offering postpartum support.
Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
Certified nurse midwives start as registered nurses before specializing in midwifery through a certified education program. They offer a wide range of women’s health services, from pregnancy care to newborn care, and even general health services like routine check-ups and prescribing medications.
Certified midwife (CM)
Certified midwives have a background in a health-related field but not necessarily in nursing. They undergo similar graduate-level midwifery education as CNMs and provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including family planning, prenatal care, and support during labor and delivery.
Certified professional midwife (CPM)
CPMs specialize in out-of-hospital birth settings and are known for their hands-on approach to pregnancy and childbirth care. They focus on low-risk pregnancies and emphasize empowering women and fostering strong, supportive relationships throughout the childbirth process.
Top skills for midwives
Thinking about a career as a midwife? Here’s what it takes to excel in this incredibly rewarding field.
Medical knowledge and skills
A solid grasp of medical procedures related to pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care is crucial. Midwives need to be experts in everything from prenatal check-ups to managing potential complications during birth. It’s all about keeping both the baby and mother safe and healthy.
Interpersonal skills
Great midwives make their patients feel understood and supported. This means having top-notch communication skills, being a good listener, and being able to explain the childbirth process in a way that eases worries and builds trust.
Ability to work under pressure
Childbirth doesn’t always go as planned, so they must be able to think on their feet and make quick decisions in stressful situations. Staying calm and collected, no matter what happens, is a must.
Physical stamina
This job can be physically demanding. Midwives often spend long hours on their feet, may need to help support a mother in various positions during labor, and sometimes handle heavy equipment. Being physically fit and resilient helps a lot in this line of work.
Looking for a new job?
Browse our national database of midwife job openings and apply today
Midwife career path options
Whether you’re drawn to leadership, teaching, or research, there are plenty of exciting directions midwives can take. Here’s a look at some of the paths you could explore.
Leadership
Many experienced midwives move up to manage teams in maternity wards or birthing centers. You might start by supervising other midwives and eventually become the head of maternity services, where you can shape policies and improve the quality of care.
Specialization
If you’re interested in focusing on specific areas like high-risk pregnancies or neonatal care, additional training can prepare you for these specialties. Specializing allows you to provide critical, targeted care and could also lead to consulting roles where you advise on maternity care processes.
Teaching
Teaching the next generation of midwives is a rewarding way to share your knowledge and skills. You could work in universities or professional training programs, developing curricula and guiding students through their clinical training.
Research
For those who love science and discovery, pursuing research in midwifery can be fulfilling. This path usually requires advanced degrees and can lead to positions in research institutes, universities, or the healthcare industry, where you can contribute to important advancements in maternity care.
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Position trends and outlook for midwives
The future looks bright for midwives! Here’s why more people are choosing them for their healthcare needs and what it means for the profession.
- Growing demand: More women are choosing midwives for a personalized, supportive approach during pregnancy, labor, and beyond. There’s also a rising preference for natural childbirth, which has boosted the demand for their expertise not just in childbirth, but also in general reproductive health care.
- Tech advancements: Technology like telehealth and remote monitoring are expanding the reach of midwives, allowing them to serve patients far from traditional healthcare settings. This is especially important in areas with few doctors.
- Supportive policies: Local governments and healthcare organizations are creating policies to promote midwifery. This helps address the shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Employment projections
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 38% growth in employment for nurse midwives through 2032, which is much faster than average for all occupations. This growth is driven by their increasing acceptance as primary care providers and the ongoing need for personalized and accessible healthcare.
Midwife career tips
Deepen your medical knowledge
A strong grasp of obstetrics and gynecology is essential. Beyond delivering babies, this includes everything from prenatal to postnatal care and reproductive health. Continuously deepening your understanding will improve the care you provide and ensure the safety and comfort of your patients.
Improve counseling and communication skills
Excellent communication and counseling skills are crucial. You’ll often discuss sensitive topics, so being able to provide support while clearly conveying information is key. These skills help ease your patients’ anxieties and strengthen their trust in you.
Learn neonatal resuscitation
Mastering neonatal resuscitation is a lifesaver in emergency situations. Regularly update your training to maintain this critical skill, regardless of your work setting.
Choose a specialization
Consider specializing in areas like high-risk pregnancies or lactation consulting. Specialization can make you more attractive to employers and allows you to offer targeted care to those who need it most.
Commit to continuous learning
Stay updated with the latest in obstetrics, gynecology, and midwifery by:
- Subscribing to medical journals like the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Attending relevant workshops, seminars, and webinars
- Pursuing further certifications in midwifery-related fields
Build a strong professional network
Networking is invaluable. To connect with peers, discover opportunities, and share knowledge, join organizations like:
- Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA)
- American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
- The National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM)
- State midwifery associations or local chapters of the national organizations
Where the midwife jobs are
Top employers
- Mayo Clinic
- Kaiser Permanente
- Cleveland Clinic
- John Hopkins Hospital
- Mount Sinai Health System
Top states
- California
- New York
- Florida
- Texas
- Pennsylvania
Top job sites
- zengig
- Indeed
- nursemidwifejobs.com
- allnurses.com
FAQs
What qualifications do I need to become a midwife?
To become a midwife, you need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in midwifery or a related field such as nursing. Then, you have to complete a midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). After you graduate, you must pass the certification examination offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) to become a certified midwife (CM) or a certified nurse midwife (CNM). Additionally, almost all states require midwives to be licensed to practice.
What is a typical day like for a midwife?
A midwife’s typical day might include conducting prenatal visits, checking the health of pregnant women, teaching childbirth classes, delivering babies, providing postpartum care, and handling administrative tasks. However, as birth can happen at any time, their schedule must be flexible. Some days might require being on call for births during late hours and weekends.
What are some necessary skills to be a successful midwife?
A successful midwife should have excellent interpersonal skills to connect with a diverse range of mothers and their families. Strong decision-making skills are needed for emergency situations where quick thinking is essential. They also need physical stamina, as childbirth can be a long process. Empathy, patience, attention to detail, and an understanding of human anatomy and medical procedures are also important.
What are the work environments in which midwives operate?
Midwives can work in different environments such as hospitals, birthing centers, health clinics, or in patients’ homes for home births. They sometimes work in cooperation with obstetricians and other healthcare pros.
What is the role of a midwife in prenatal care?
A midwife supports a woman during her pregnancy by providing healthcare services such as performing examinations, conducting diagnostic tests, and offering advice on diet and exercise. They also identify complications and, where necessary, refer women to medical specialists. They play key roles in providing personalized care and emotional support throughout pregnancy.
How does the scope of practice differ between a midwife and an obstetrician?
While both midwives and obstetricians care for pregnant women, their approaches can differ. Midwives often focus on low-risk pregnancies and use a holistic approach, considering the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother. On the other hand, obstetricians are medical doctors trained to handle high-risk pregnancies and complications. They perform surgeries such as cesarean sections and use medical interventions when necessary.
Are there subsets or specializations within the midwifery profession?
Yes, there are different types of midwives including certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, certified professional midwives, and direct-entry midwives. Each category has different education and training requirements. Some might also choose to specialize in areas such as teen pregnancy, home birth, or maternal fetal medicine.
Do midwives only assist during childbirth?
No, midwives provide a wide range of healthcare services beyond childbirth. These include prenatal care, postnatal care, general health check-ups, family planning advice, and menopausal care. They often provide care from puberty through menopause, not just during pregnancy and childbirth.
What are some challenges that a midwife might face?
Midwives might face challenges such as long, unpredictable hours due to the unpredictable nature of childbirth. They may also encounter complex or high-stress situations if complications occur during childbirth. Emotional challenges can also arise as they work closely with families during what can be a stressful time. Finally, depending on the state’s regulations and the health settings in which they work, these professionals might face limitations in their practice.