Use these facts and figures from ACNM’s Our Moment of Truth™ campaign to spread the truth about midwives.

True or False? Midwives have no formal education.
FALSE. Most midwives in the United States have a master’s degree and are required to pass a national certification exam. Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) attend approximately 93% of all midwife-attended births in the United States, and as of 2010 they are required to have a master's degree in order to practice midwifery.

True or False? Midwives only focus on pregnancy and birth.
FALSE. CNMs and CMs provide health care services to women in all stages of life, from the teenage years through menopause, including general health check-ups, screenings and vaccinations; pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care; well woman gynecologic care; treatment of sexually transmitted infections; and prescribing medications, including all forms of pain control medications and birth control.

Share Your Story
Since September, 100 women have shared their My Moment of Truth stories. Read about their experiences with health care and find out what made them decide to choose a midwife. Visit www.ourmomentoftruth.com to read real women’s stories and share your own!

Take the Pledge
Have you taken the Your Health Promise pledge? Join the nearly 800 women who have already pledged to become informed about their women's health preferences and choices. Start your mission to improve your health, and make Your Health Promise now at www.ourmomentoftruth.com!

Midwifery-led Birth Centers Provide Equal or Better Care
A recent study released by the Center for Advancing Health found that low-income women who gave birth under the care of a certified nurse-midwife at a birth center experienced outcomes equal to or better than women under the care of hospital-based obstetricians.

Childbirth Connection Releases Major Survey of US Mothers
Listening to Mothers surveys compare actual experiences of childbearing women and newborns with mothers’ preferences, as well as with evidence-based care and optimal outcomes. View the results of Childbirth Connection’s third national US survey of women’s childbearing experiences.

FDA approves first morning sickness drug in 30 years
The US Food and Drug Administration approved Diclegis to treat women who have nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The 2 active ingredients in the drug are Vitamin B6 plus an over-the-counter antihistamine.

National Women’s Hall of Fame Welcomes Ina May Gaskin, Nancy Pelosi
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and pioneer of modern American midwifery Ina May Gaskin are among the women honored this year with induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. An induction ceremony will be held on October 12 in Seneca Falls, NY, the birthplace of the US women’s movement.

Pediatricians Issue Home Birth Policy Statement
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement on home birth recommending that there be a certified nurse-midwife, certified midwife, or a physician present, as well as a caregiver who is present solely to take care of the newborn.

Music Improves Preemies’ Vital Signs
A recent study found that different types of music can actually have an effect on premature babies’ vital signs and feeding and breathing behaviors. Positive changes in sucking behavior, eating, sleeping behaviors, and heart rate occurred in the babies when they heard different music types.

Parents' Saliva on Pacifiers Could Ward Off Baby's Allergies
Researchers say that children whose parents clean their pacifiers by sucking them might be less likely to develop allergic conditions because of how their parents' saliva changes their microbiomes—the collections of bacteria that live in and on our bodies.

Pregnant Women Should Not Take Valproate Medication for Migraines
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising women that the anti-seizure medication valproate sodium (and related products valproic acid and divalproex sodium) should not be taken by pregnant women to prevent migraine headaches. There is evidence that these medications can cause decreased IQ scores in children whose mothers took them while pregnant.

Missed Mammograms Tied to Worse Breast Cancer Outcomes
Older women diagnosed with breast cancer years after their last mammogram, and those who never had a mammogram, have an increased risk of dying from their cancer, a new study suggests.

IUDs are Safe for Teens, Too
According to a new study, intrauterine devices are just as safe for teenagers to use as older women. Researchers found that serious complications—such as ectopic pregnancies and pelvic inflammatory disease—occurred in less than 1% of all the women, regardless of age.

It’s Only Natural Breastfeeding Support
The US Department of Health and Human Services’ new breastfeeding campaign It’s Only Natural helps African American women and their families understand the health benefits of breastfeeding—not just for babies, but for moms too.

Get help understanding the ACA
These free educational brochures and presentations help explain the new health care law for women and a variety of other groups that will be significantly impacted by the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Immunizations and Pregnancy Vaccines Flyer
This flyer from the CDC shows women what vaccines to get before, during, and after pregnancy.

Our Moment of Truth™ Toolkit
Use ACNM’s public awareness initiative to help raise awareness of midwifery in your community. Our free toolkit includes a social media guide with sample posts, a template article and e-mail, and a printable fact sheet.