What Training Is Needed to Become a Midwife?
Doctors are not the only professionals qualified to help women during their pregnancies and childbirth. For many years, midwives have served an important role during the labor process by using their knowledge of natural birthing methods to guide mothers in delivering their babies without any medical interventions. Midwives are also trained to provide prenatal care and help mothers during postpartum. Becoming a midwife requires completing an apprenticeship program, classroom training and, in some cases, a nursing degree.
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Types
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There are four different types of midwives--certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, lay midwives and certified professional midwives. Each type has a different level of training and education. A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) has a degree in nursing and experience working as a registered nurse in addition to midwifery training. Certified midwives are not registered nurses, but they do have an education and experience in the health-care field along with midwifery training. Lay midwives receive training through an apprenticeship program and workshops. A certified professional midwife has met the education and training standards established by the North American Registry of Midwives.
Function
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Certified-nurse midwives are trained to provide health care to women, including gynecological exams, counseling and treating women with gynecological issues and attending births. As trained nurses, they are licensed to work in hospitals and clinics. Certified midwives, lay midwives and certified professional midwives are called direct-entry midwives. They are trained to provide prenatal and postpartum care, but due to licensing can attend births only in birth centers and homes.
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Geography
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Each state has different education and training requirements for midwives seeking to obtain a license. Certified nurse-midwives are licensed to practice in every state and must be certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. In most states, certified midwives and certified professional midwives must be certified by the North American Registry of Midwives to qualify for state licensing. Eighteen states offer state licensing for lay midwives. In these states, licensing may require completing a state-approved training program and exam.
Time Frame
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Midwifery training for direct-entry midwives is typically three years, including one year of apprenticeship or clinical practice. Certified nurse-midwives receive midwifery training as part of their graduate degree in nursing education, which can take up to two years.
Features
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All midwifery training programs require students to complete some type of clinical apprenticeship. This may involve assisting an experienced midwife or physician in a birthing center, hospital or private practice. Some training programs require students to attend several births as primary midwives before graduating. Training programs also include courses in anatomy, physical assessment, prenatal care and nutrition.
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