Beyond Tradition: The Role of Certified Nurse-Midwives

Midwives are experiencing a resurgence in popularity within the US, and today Certified Nurse-Midwives, or CNMs, possess a much larger scope of practice, assuming many of the abilities and functions of the GYN and OBGYN in providing independent primary care in women’s health.

With their pro-active perspective on women’s health and focused model of care in giving a more hands-on, supportive experience, CNMs make an excellent additional resource in medical clinics like Sankofa Health, Laurel, MD, providing primary and reproductive care health services to women of all ages. 

Midwives have existed since early human times and were introduced to America during early colonization. Their role during childbirth was crucial as most early doctors did not possess their extensive knowledge. When nurse Mary Breckinridge founded the Frontier Nursing Service in 1925, nurse midwives gained legitimate status.

Choosing the Right Midwife

Choosing the right midwife can depend on the level of care you are seeking. There are currently four designation levels of midwives in the US:

1.     CNM, or Certified Nurse Midwife. Registered nurses attend a nurse-midwifery training program and pass the American College of Nurse-Midwives certification examination. 

2.     CM, or Certified Midwife. Professionals in a related healthcare field other than nursing have graduated and received certification from a midwife training program.

3.     CPM, or Certified Professional Midwife. People that have completed midwifery training. They are certified through a different exam process from CNMs and CMs and work in non-hospital settings.

4.     Unlicensed Midwife. People who receive non-regulated training and follow the traditional path.

The Role of the Certified Nurse-Midwife

Many have thought of the midwife as someone who assists during childbirth. Women are now becoming aware of their broader range of knowledge and experience, turning to CNMs for more comprehensive gynecological care beyond pregnancy and childbirth. CNMs are legally empowered to practice many of the functions traditionally engaged by gynecologists, except for anything requiring an incision, and include:

1.     Annual primary care visits and reproductive checkups.

2.     Fertility counseling.

3.     Contraception counseling and insertion.

4.     Order bloodwork and lab tests.

5.     Pharmaceutical prescription authority in all states.  

6.     At-home or in-clinic monitoring during pre-conception, pregnancy, and post-natal.

Certification

All CNMs, CMs, and midwives who have graduated from ACME accredited programs are certified and listed with the AMCB, or American Midwifery Certification Board.

Certified Nurse-Midwives are highly educated, specialized professionals in women’s primary and reproductive healthcare. They are being sought for their expansive knowledge and model of care that focuses on developing a rapport with their patients and providing a more personalized, supportive and proactive approach to women’s health than the limited traditional specialist visits.

Compassionate professionalism combined with extensive experience and knowledge in women’s health makes Certified Nurse-Midwives a popular alternative for women before and during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond, and for those who do not wish for children, working with all ages and backgrounds.

CNMs work as independent practitioners, as part of a hospital team, or within professional health service centers like Sankofa Health.