Midwives are trained to provide care and support to women throughout pregnancy, delivery, and the post-partum period. In the United States, the two main types of midwives are certified nurse-midwives and direct-entry midwives. Both provide quality care to women and infants, but they differ in education and licensing requirements.
In addition to providing care during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and post-partum, midwives provide gynecological care and family planning to women throughout their lives. The word “midwife” means “with woman” and the title is applied to both male and female practitioners.
Certified nurse-midwives and direct-entry midwives are trained to provide comfort and care throughout the labor and delivery process. The differences between education and licensing between these two types of midwives are detailed below.
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM)
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) are midwives who have had formal education in both nursing and midwifery. CNMs are registered nurses who have additional training and education in midwifery. Though not required, many CNMs hold advanced degrees in nursing or midwifery. They are licensed by the American Midwifery Certification Board. CNMs are licensed to prescribe medications to their clients.
Direct-Entry Midwives
Direct-entry midwives do not have a background in nursing. They are trained in midwifery through self-study, apprenticeships, midwifery school, or a college program that is distinct from a nursing program. Direct-entry midwives can choose to be certified through multiple routes. Many states in the U.S. do not legally allow direct-entry midwives to attend to births, despite alternative certification. There are four types of direct-entry midwives found in the United States: certified professional midwives, certified midwives, licensed midwives, and lay midwives.
Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives. CPMs must have completed education in several core areas as well as practice clinical skills under the supervision of a licensed midwife. After the completion of these requirements, CPMs must pass a licensing exam in order to receive their certification. In order to keep their license, CPMs must complete a minimum of thirty continuing education hours or retake the certification exam every three years.
Certified Midwives (CM) are midwives who have passed the same certification exam as CNMs, but do not have a nursing background. This certification is offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board. As of 2008, only midwives in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island were eligible to take the exam.
Licensed Midwives are licensed by individual states. Currently, 38 states license midwives. Midwives licensed in one state are not automatically licensed in any other state. Each state has its own education and training requirements for licensing.
Lay Midwives are those who have, for whatever reason, not become certified through any of the previously mentioned routes. The title lay midwife was more commonly used prior to the creation of the CPM exam, when non-nurse midwives did not have any route to gaining certification.
Jamie Robertson - Jamie Robertson has worked and volunteered for HIV/AIDS organization for over 5 years. Her work has taken her throughout the United States ...
