What is a midwife? Understanding midwife care

Overview: Learn about midwife care, who midwives support and the key differences between a midwife and an OB/GYN. By understanding these care options, you can make an informed decision about what's right for you.

From routine wellness exams to supporting pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery, midwives play an important role in helping you navigate some of the most significant stages of life. Understanding the role of a midwife can help you decide whether midwifery care is right for you. 

What is a midwife?

A midwife is a healthcare provider specializing in women's health and prenatal, childbirth and postpartum care. Midwives can also provide routine gynecologic care and support you throughout various stages of life.

There are different types of midwives, but the ones you will see in most hospital settings are Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM). CNMs are highly trained midwives, who have completed nursing and graduate school, and are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Find a CNM near you

Who can see a Certified Nurse-Midwife?

Many people assume midwives only attend home births or support unmedicated labor, but that isn't necessarily true. Most Certified Nurse-Midwives practice in hospitals and can provide care throughout your hospital birth experience. Although they have expertise in unmedicated births, their priority is supporting your individual birth plan, including whatever pain relief options you choose.

Another common myth is that midwives only provide prenatal care. But CNMs care for a wide range of patients, from adolescents to adults.

Midwifery care may include:

• Annual wellness exams
• Prenatal and postpartum care
• Gynecologic services
• Menopause support
• Preventative care

Can Certified Nurse-Midwives care for high-risk pregnancies?

Yes, CNMs often care for patients with medical conditions or higher-risk pregnancies while working closely with OB/GYNs and other specialists.

This collaborative approach helps ensure you receive personalized care while having access to experts when needed.

Midwife vs. OB/GYN

So, what’s the difference between a midwife and an OB/GYN? One of the biggest differences is their training and scope of practice. OB/GYNs are physicians who have an MD or DO degree and are trained to provide comprehensive reproductive and prenatal care, including surgeries such as Cesarean deliveries.

Certified Nurse-Midwives also have advanced medical training, often holding a Master of Science in Nursing, and they provide pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum care. However, they don’t perform surgical procedures.

Rather than working separately, CNM and OB/GYNs often collaborate in hospital settings to ensure patients receive the right level of care at every stage of pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Why choose midwifery care?

You may choose midwifery care because it offers a personalized, relationship-based care approach. CNMs often spend a lot of time with you during appointments, focusing on education, support and shared decision-making. They emphasize wellness, preventive care and helping you have a positive birth experience while closely monitoring the health of both you and your baby.

Compassionate care through every stage of life

While many people associate midwives with childbirth, their impact extends far beyond the delivery room. From adolescence to menopause and beyond, CNMs provide comprehensive, patient-centered care that focuses on education, partnership and trust.

Whether you're preparing to welcome a new baby or simply looking for a healthcare provider, a Certified Nurse-Midwife may be the right partner to support your health journey.

Meet our MercyOne Certified Nurse-Midwives

This blog was medically reviewed by a MercyOne provider.