Midwife Career Guide

What is a midwife?

A midwife offers professional care and support to women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. These healthcare professionals operate under a model of care that emphasizes the natural processes of pregnancy and childbirth. They are tasked with providing a safe, satisfying, and empowering birthing experience for women and their families.

Midwives play an instrumental role in promoting women’s health and well-being. They provide holistic services that respect the diversity and choices of women. Because of their unique position, they are not just healthcare providers but also educators and advocates for women’s health rights.

Duties and responsibilities

Midwives are responsible for guiding and supporting women through all stages of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They conduct prenatal exams, provide education about pregnancy and childbirth, develop birth plans in consultation with parents, and intervene medically only when necessary.

They monitor the mother’s physical, psychological, and social well-being throughout the childbearing cycle. These professionals also provide counseling and support during the postpartum period, including infant feeding and maternal health education. They can also provide general women’s healthcare, including preventive measures, routine checks, and contraceptive advice.

Work environment

Midwives can work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, birthing centers, health clinics, and home settings. Some maintain their private practice where they provide home birth services. They often work closely with obstetricians, neonatologists, and nursing staff in complicated pregnancies and births.

Their work involves direct patient care, which requires physical stamina and emotional resilience. The role can be both challenging and rewarding, as it involves a deep level of involvement in the personal lives of women and their families during a life-changing event.

Typical work hours

Midwives typically work a standard workweek. However, childbirth can occur at any time, so they may be required to work during nights, weekends, and holidays. They often need to be on call, and working hours can often extend beyond the traditional 9-to-5 setup.

The unpredictability of labor and delivery can result in long and non-conventional hours. Some midwives, particularly those in private practice, have more control over their hours and can strike a balance between profession and personal life.

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How to become a midwife

This career guide section outlines how to become a midwife. The process involves acquiring a specific educational degree, hands-on clinical experience, and necessary certifications.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree

A bachelor’s degree, preferably in nursing or a related health field, serves as the first step in becoming a midwife. This four-year degree provides foundational knowledge in health sciences and offers students an opportunity to learn about patient care and medical ethics.

Step 2: Become a registered nurse (RN)

Upon completing the bachelor’s degree, prospective midwives must obtain licensure as registered nurses. Several years of RN experience, particularly in labor and delivery, aids in garnering practical skills and insights that will be useful in midwifery practice.

Step 3: Pursue a master’s degree in midwifery

The next step involves earning a master’s degree in midwifery. This program offers an in-depth understanding of childbirth, pre and postnatal care, and builds on the knowledge and skills gained from a nursing degree. This makes it an essential stage for those aiming to specialize in this field.

Step 4: Complete clinical experience

During or after completing a master’s degree, midwifery students undertake supervised clinical practice. This allows them to manage women’s healthcare, including prenatal, birth, postpartum, and newborn care, under expert guidance.

Step 5: Obtain national certification

After fulfilling the education and clinical experience requirements, aspiring midwives must earn a national certification, such as the Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) credential offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board. The process usually involves passing an examination, after which they are recognized as professional healthcare providers.

Step 6: Get licensed in your state

The final step is achieving state licensure. Requirements may vary from state to state, but typically they involve proof of education, demonstration of clinical experience, and passing the national certification exam.

Step 7: Gain practical experience

Even after becoming certified and licensed, gaining practical, hands-on experience is critical. Working in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, birth centers, and health clinics, helps improve skills, confidence, and versatility.

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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

Browse midwife salary data by market

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Types of midwives

This career guide section highlights the various career types and areas of specialization for midwives. Below, we outline the unique attributes and responsibilities of each specialization within this profession.

Direct-entry midwife

Direct-entry midwives usually begin their careers without a healthcare background. Instead, they receive training and education specifically in midwifery, often through apprenticeships or self-study. Their responsibilities often revolve around pregnancy and childbirth, including prenatal care, labor and delivery support, and postpartum guidance.

Certified nurse midwife

A certified nurse midwife, or CNM, is a nursing professional who has chosen to specialize in midwifery. They hold a registered nursing license and have completed an education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). CNMs provide a full spectrum of women’s healthcare, including prenatal and postnatal care, newborn care, and even general health services like annual check-ups, prescriptions, and contraceptives.

Certified midwife

The certified midwife (CM) is similar to the CNM in education and practice, but they are not required to have a background in nursing. Instead, candidates for this profession need a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field and must complete a graduate-level midwifery education program. Their scope of practice is similar to that of a CNM, delivering comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, including family planning advice, prenatal care, labor and delivery support, and newborn care.

Certified professional midwife

Certified professional midwives (CPMs) specialize in offering healthcare to women during their childbearing years. They are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives and demonstrate competency in out-of-hospital birth. This includes providing prenatal, birth, and postpartum care for low-risk pregnancies and emphasizing the empowerment of women and the importance of a strong patient-provider relationship.

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Top skills for midwives

This section outlines the primary skills and traits needed for career success as a midwife. To excel in this role, an individual should possess extensive medical knowledge, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work under pressure during the childbirth process.

Medical knowledge and skills

The basis of a successful midwifery practice lies in a comprehensive understanding of obstetrics, gynecology, and neonatology. Key skills in this regard include proficiency in conducting prenatal check-ups, guiding expectant mothers through childbirth, and ensuring the well-being of the newborn and mother postpartum. Knowledge about potential complications that may arise during pregnancy or childbirth and the ability to handle such situations effectively are vital.

Interpersonal skills

Having excellent interpersonal skills is an inevitable aspect of midwifery. Enabling a trusting, empathetic relationship with expectant mothers is the key, which calls for superior communication abilities. A midwife must be able to soothe anxieties, provide clear and comforting explanations about the birthing process, and deliver instructions effectively. Being supportive, patient, and good at listening is also part of this skill set.

Ability to work under pressure

Childbirth can be unpredictable, requiring these healthcare professionals to stay calm and composed even under stressful circumstances. The ability to make quick, clear, and accurate decisions is vital in ensuring the baby’s safe delivery and the mother’s health. This aspect of midwifery requires a blend of resilience, self-confidence, and crisis management abilities.

Physical stamina

Physical stamina is an essential trait in this role, as the job often requires long hours of standing, the ability to lift heavy equipment or support mothers in various positions during childbirth. Therefore, physical strength, coupled with endurance and adaptability, helps ensure success in this physically demanding career.

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Midwife career path options

For a current midwife, there’s a range of career progression opportunities that appeal to a variety of interests and skills. Expanding one’s sphere of influence beyond direct patient care can open the doors to multiple leadership roles within the maternity healthcare field.

One of the most common career paths for experienced midwives is stepping into supervisory roles or managerial positions within maternity wards or birthing centers. This progression may involve overseeing other midwives, nurses, and healthcare staff, coordinating schedules, and setting policies. Being experienced in these leadership roles can lead to senior management positions, such as head of maternity services. In these higher-level positions, these professionals can influence the quality of maternity care on a wider scale.

An alternative path could be specializing in areas like high-risk pregnancies or neonatal care to offer advanced services. These areas require additional training, but they also present opportunities to provide more specific and needed care. They can also offer their expertise by transitioning into consultant roles. This role involves providing guidance, improving maternity care processes, and implementing changes in healthcare systems or even for health insurance companies.

Teaching is another excellent progression for skilled midwives. Universities, colleges, and professional institutions often hire experienced midwives to teach the next generation. This role often encompasses creating curricula, teaching in classrooms, and supervising student practice in clinical settings.

Finally, another path for career progression is in research. Those interested in contributing to the field’s scientific knowledge can pursue a career in academic or clinical research. This path typically requires obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree and can lead to opportunities in public and private research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and academic universities.

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Similar job titles

• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Registered Nurse
• Physician Assistant
• Clinical Research Associate
• Health and Safety Inspector
• Neonatal Nurse
• Doula
• Caregiver

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Position trends and outlook for midwives

In the healthcare industry, the role of midwives has been growing significantly, especially in the United States where the focus on maternal health continues to strengthen. This trend has been driven by pregnant women increasingly preferring personalized, supportive care during their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period. An escalating interest in natural childbirth has also contributed to this upward trend. These healthcare professionals have been recognized for their expertise in providing comprehensive sexuality education, contraception management, and general reproductive care, expanding their role beyond just pregnancy and childbirth services.

Technological advancements also play a role in shaping trends around this profession. With the rise of telehealth and remote monitoring, midwives can now provide their services to patients who are not within easy reach of healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, local governments and healthcare organizations are implementing policies to support the growth of midwifery as a way to counteract the shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists in many parts of America. All these trends paint a favorable picture of prospects in this career.

Employment projections

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for nurse midwives is projected to grow by 38 percent through 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. This significant increase in demand is attributed to their increased acceptance as primary healthcare providers, the drive for a more personal birthing experience, and the need for care providers in rural or underserved areas.

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Midwife career tips

Understand in-depth obstetrics and gynecology knowledge

You should invest in building a solid understanding of obstetrics and gynecology. This field is not confined to delivering babies but includes antenatal and postnatal care, healthy prenatal practices, and reproductive health. Keep in mind that an in-depth understanding can immensely enrich your practice and ensure safety and comfort for your patients.

Excel in counseling and communication skills

Counseling and communication skills are key to providing moral support, educating patients, and calming their anxieties. As you frequently deal with sensitive topics during consultations, developing professionally empathetic communication is essential to convey information accurately and support patients emotionally.

Develop competencies in neonatal resuscitation

Neonatal resuscitation skills can save lives in emergencies. Regardless of the setting you are working in, being skilled in neonatal resuscitation can make a significant difference during complex childbirths. Commit to annual training or refresher courses to always stay on top of this vital skill.

Specialize in a preferred area

Specializing in an area, such as high-risk pregnancies, public health, lactation consulting, or women’s health nurse practitioner roles, can level up your career. Specialization can not only make you more marketable to employers but also enable you to provide focused care to your patients.

Continuous learning

The field of obstetrics and gynecology is constantly evolving with new research, technologies, and best practices. Therefore, it is vital to stay updated with these changes. You can achieve this by:

• Subscribing to reputable medical journals such as the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology or The Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health
• Attending workshops, seminars, and webinars
• Completing additional certifications or courses related to midwifery

Build a professional network

Building a professional network can often lead to job opportunities, partnerships, and a community for knowledge sharing. To expand your professional network, you can consider joining:

• 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

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FAQs