The Profession of Midwifery

Nationally, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) defines certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives as licensed health care providers who provide primary care to women throughout their lifespan. Their services include preconception care/counseling, prenatal care, labor and birth care, postpartum care, family planning services, gynecological exams, newborn care, menopausal management and counseling on health maintenance and disease prevention. For detailed information regarding the midwifery profession on a national level contact the ACNM at www.acnm.org.

In New York State, the practice of the profession of midwifery is defined as the management of normal pregnancies, childbirth, and postpartum care as well as primary preventive reproductive health care of essentially healthy women and shall include newborn evaluation, resuscitation and referral of infants. A licensed midwife has the authority, as necessary, and limited to the practice of midwifery, to prescribe and administer drugs, immunizing agents, diagnostic tests and devices, and to order laboratory tests. Detailed information regarding the midwifery profession in New York State and licensure requirements may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Professions, Midwifery Board office.