According to the International Confederation of Midwives:
“A midwife is a person who has successfully completed a midwifery education programme
based on the ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice and the framework of the ICM
Global Standards for Midwifery Education, recognised in the country where it is located; who
has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice
midwifery and use the title ‘midwife,’ and who demonstrates competency in the practice of
midwifery.
Scope of Practice
The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional, who works in
partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour
and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide
care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the promotion
of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical care
or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.
The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the women
and gender diverse people they serve, but also within families and communities. This work
should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to sexual
and reproductive health care, and care for infants and young children.
A midwife may practise in any setting including the home, community, hospital, clinic or health
unit.”
More information about midwives in the United States:
- Definition of Midwifery and Scope of Practice of CNMs and CMs (Updated 2021)
- The Credential CNM and CM
- Essential Facts about Midwives (July 2022)
- ACNM Vision, Mission, Values
- Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice (Updated March 2020)
- Standards for the Practice of Midwifery (Updated 2022)
- CNM-CM-CPM Comparison Chart (Updated April 2022)