So you’re planning to use a midwife for your birth. Not all midwives are created equal.
There are several different types of midwives and you need to know how they are different. Some are licensed others are not. Some only work in birth centers or hospitals while others only work within your home.
It’s important that you understand the various types of midwives.
There are three types of midwives:
- Nurse Midwives Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
- Direct-Entry Midwives (DEM)
- Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA)
Nurse Midwives Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
A Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is a nurse midwife who is certified by the International Confederation of Midwives.
A CNM is an advanced practice registered nurse. They have completed registered nursing and midwifery education. And are credentialed as a Certified Nurse-Midwife.
Direct-Entry Midwives (DEM)
Certified Midwife (CM)
A Certified Midwife (CM) is a midwife certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
The CM role was created to expand routes of entry to midwifery education as it does not require a nursing degree. The CM program includes the same information in midwifery and women’s health as the CNM program.
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)
In order to be recognized as a CPM by NARM (Stover, 2011, p. 325), a midwife must meet all three of the below:
- meet all education requirements and pass a certification exam
- meet minimum experience requirements
- document proficiency in all midwifery skills
CPMs are regulated and licensed in 23 states.
Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA)
Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) are also known as Traditional Midwife, Community Midwife, or Lay Midwife. These midwives are not credentialed and may not have received formal training or education. TBAs are not regulated and there is no registration.
Some believe the relationship between the midwife and client/patient should not be governed.
This type of midwife is popular in developing countries and rural, remote medically underserved areas where. TBAs are often a bridge between the community and a formal health system.