What is a Certified Nurse Midwife?

A certified nurse midwife (CNM) is an individual educated in the two disciplines of   nursing and midwifery, who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of the American College  of Nurse Midwives. (ACNM) State requirements for nurse midwifery must also be met.

What Types of Health Care Services can a CNM Provide?

Nurse Midwifery practice includes services to normal healthy women and their babies in the areas of:

Prenatal Care

Labor & Delivery management

Postpartum Care

Well-woman gynecology

Normal newborn care

How are Certified Nurse-Midwives Educated?

In the US there are currently 29 nurse midwifery programs that are accredited by the ACNM Division of Accreditation, which is recognized by the US Office of Education.  These include two pre-certification programs,. nine certificate programs and eighteen master's degree programs

Nurse Midwifery students are registered nurses and most have had extensive prior experience in maternity and public health nursing.  A student nurse midwife receives extensive instruction in clinical midwifery and advanced education in normal obstetrics/gynecology and newborn care.

How Safe is Delivery by a Certified Nurse Midwife?

Over the years, nurse midwives have maintained a superb record of safety and client satisfaction.  Research shows that a woman experiencing a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery is as safe in the hands of a nurse midwife as she would be in the hands of a physician.  A recent report by the Institute of Medicine points out that nurse midwives are particularly effective in managing the care of pregnant women, and than such care results in fewer premature and underweight babies.