Comparison Of Midwifery Credentials
Maria King • August 9, 2019
Comparison of Midwifery Credentials:
Comparison of Certified Nurse-Midwives, Certified Midwives, Certified Professional Midwives Clarifying the Distinctions Among Professional Midwifery Credentials in the U.S.
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF MIDWIVES DEFINITION OF MIDWIFE
While the profession of midwifery has developed differently in each country, we share a common understanding of the midwife internationally. The International Confederation of Midwives’ definition is: A person who has successfully completed a midwifery education program that is based on the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Essential Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice and the framework of the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education and is recognized 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.
The midwife is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labor 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 counseling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and child care. A midwife may practice in any setting including the home, community, hospitals, clinics or health units.
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What is a Certified Professional Midwife: In contrast, Certified Professional Midwives (CPM's)® are knowledgeable, skilled and professional independent midwifery practitioners who have met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and are qualified to provide the Midwives Model of Care. California requires CPM's to also hold a midwifery license through the California Medical Board, in order to practice, while in other states licensure is voluntary. The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) is the professional association that represents CNM's and sets the standard for excellence in midwifery education and practice in the United States. For more information please visit: https://midwife.org
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM's) like Maria, are registered nurses who have graduated from a nurse midwifery education program, that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), and hold a board certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board, which is the 'gold Standard' for Midwifery Practice in the USA. In order to receive a state license, a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) must have first successfully completed both a Registered Nursing and Midwifery program of education through an accredited school/university that meets the California Board of Registered nursing standards. Nurse midwifery practice is the independent management "of low to moderate risk women seeking family planning services, as well as care during their antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and inter-conceptional periods.” Unique to the midwife's role, is also the care of the newborn and the infant. For more information visit: https://www.midwife.org/The-Credential-CNM-and-CM