Who should use a midwife — and why you might want to see one even if you’re not pregnant

It’s a labor of love.

Midwives have been caring for women for centuries — the roots of this work can be traced to the beginning of humanity.

About 14,000 midwives now practice in the US. These healthcare professionals have evolved from community healing to training at a graduate level and providing safe, evidence-based and deeply personal care.

Here, I explain how midwives create a calm, empowering birth experience — and dispel three major myths about the role.

What are the major types of midwives?

There are three main types of midwives — they differ in education, certification and scopes of practice.

Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses with a graduate-level education in nurse midwifery and certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Certified midwives hold a graduate-level midwifery degree and certification from the AMCB but not a nursing license.

Certified professional midwives often train with an experienced midwife and meet the requirements of the North American Registry of Midwives.

How midwives differ from other providers

We differ from doulas and OB-GYNs in training and approach.

Doulas are advocates that offer emotional and physical support during labor and delivery, but do not perform medical tasks.

OB-GYNs, on the other hand, undergo extensive medical training and can manage low- and high-risk pregnancies and perform surgical procedures.

Midwives specialize in the art and science of normal, physiological birth. 

We care for the whole woman — body, mind and spirit, considering everything that might influence her well-being.

Our care is hands-on, patient-centered and grounded in trust.

Women like to feel seen, heard and supported. That’s why we partner with our patients every step of the way. 

Who should seek out a midwife? 

Anybody needing prenatal care is a good candidate for midwifery.

Midwives support the body’s natural process first and use interventions only when necessary.

Research shows that midwifery care is associated with lower rates of Cesarean births, labor inductions, epidurals and episiotomies — and greater patient satisfaction overall. 

For women with high-risk pregnancy, such as diabetes, pre-eclampsia and other conditions, midwives collaborate seamlessly with physicians to ensure safety and continuity of care.

There are a few deliveries we don’t handle — by vacuum, forceps or C-section.

Safety and partnership are at the heart of what we do. 

And despite a common misconception, that midwives only attend births at home, the majority of midwives work in hospitals and birthing centers. Our services are covered by insurance.

How to make a midwife appointment

At NYU Langone, midwives see patients at the Mignone Women’s Health Collaborative.

You can learn more about Midwifery Services on NYU Langone’s website.

You can make your first prenatal appointment with a midwife at six or seven weeks of pregnancy.

You don’t even need to be pregnant to see a midwife, a common misconception.

We also do fertility counseling, perform pap smears, conduct annual exams, provide contraception services and even prescribe medications, offering comprehensive care from menarche to post-menopause.

Professional midwife organizations, health insurance providers and hospitals should have a list of midwives in your area. NYCmidwives.org provides resources for the NYC area.

What tools do midwives use?

Another misconception is that we only promote natural birth.

In reality, midwifery care is about choices, not limitations — we want to make every woman feel she’s in control of her experience.

Midwives use breathwork, forms of touch, hydrotherapy and other comfort techniques to help manage labor pain.

They also support the use of epidurals, a safe and highly effective option, when desired.

Does midwife care end with birth?

Our services don’t stop when the patient gives birth.

It’s a continuous circle of care. We stay with our patients for weeks after delivery and beyond.

That includes checking physical and mental recovery, screening for postpartum depression, prescribing medications when necessary and connecting with additional support.

It’s a journey to have a baby, and we embark on that journey together.

You’d be surprised at how much care you can receive from a midwife.

We’re here to empower women through the deeply human experience of giving birth — and provide lasting support through every stage of life.

Eugenia Montesinos, CNM, is director of midwifery services at NYU Langone Health.