Definition of Midwife
Midwife: A person trained to assist a woman during
childbirth. Many midwives also provide prenatal care for pregnant
women, birth education for women and their partners, and care for
mothers and newborn babies after the birth. A midwife may be a man or
a woman. Depending on local law, midwives may deliver babies in the
mother's home, in a special birthing center or clinic, or in a
hospital.
Most midwives specialize in normal, uncomplicated
deliveries, referring women with health problems that could require
hospitalization during birth to a hospital-based obstetrician. Others
work with physicians as part of a team. Legal qualifications required
to practice midwifery differ between the US states and various
countries. See also midwife, certified; midwife, certified nurse;
midwife, certified professional; midwife, direct-entry; midwife,
traditional.
Last Editorial Review: 3/26/1998 2:27:00 PM
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