nurse-midwifery

medicine

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Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Nurse-midwifery is a specialized area of healthcare focused on providing care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. A nurse-midwife is a registered nurse who has undergone additional training to deliver infants and offer comprehensive care, including prenatal and postpartum support, newborn care, and routine gynecological services for women.1

Historically, midwives were the primary caregivers for birthing women. In the United States, the specialty of nurse-midwifery emerged in the 1930s, initially serving underserved populations. By the 1960s, the women's movement increased demand for nurse-midwives, offering a blend of traditional birthing practices with modern medical safety. Today, most nurse-midwives hold master's degrees and attend births primarily in hospitals and birthing centers, delivering a significant number of babies annually. The global demand for nurse-midwifery care is expected to rise.2

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midwifery
Midwifery in the modern era
In contrast, nurse-midwives become nurses first and then add midwifery training as a postgraduate component to their nursing. This may be at the certificate or master’s level. Midwives of all types attend births in women’s homes, birth centres, and hospital settings.
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In contrast, nurse-midwives become nurses first and then add midwifery training as a postgraduate component to their nursing. This may be at the certificate or master’s level. Midwives of all types attend births in women’s homes, birth centres, and hospital settings.
Read More