About Midwives

Midwife Myths

Click a myth to learn the facts!

  • Myth: Midwives only take care of pregnant women.
  • Myth:  Midwives only deliver babies in peoples homes.
  • Myth:  Woman who are cared for by midwives cannot have pain medications such as an epidural during labor.
  • Myth:  Midwives cannot practice independently (without a physician).
  • Myth:  Midwives do not have formalized educations.
  • Myth:  Midwives cannot prescribe medications.

How do I become a midwife?

Our parent organization, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, has a comprehensive set of information about the educational requirements for becoming a midwife.

In Maryland in particular, options include:

Common Misconceptions about Midwives

Myth: Midwives only take care of pregnant women.
Fact: You don’t have to be pregnant or even planning a pregnancy to benefit from midwifery care. Nurse-Midwives provide routine and preventative care for women from adolescence through menopause, including:

  • Routine annual exams (pap smear, breast and pelvic exams)
  • Family planning (counseling & prescribing contraception)
  • Diagnosis and treatment of routine gynecological problems (including urinary tract infections and vaginal infections)
  • Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
  • Counseling for adolescents in sexuality and contraceptive choices
  • Management of menopausal symptoms (including hormonal therapy)
  • Basic Primary Care (can include basic management of asthma, mild upper respiratory infections, etc.
  • Screening and referrals for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, depression

As experts in normal pregnancy and birth, midwives can provide the following services:

  • Preconception Care
  • Prenatal Care
  • Labor and Birth Care
  • Early Infancy Care
  • Postpartum Care & Breastfeeding Support

back to myths

    Myth: Midwives only deliver babies in peoples homes.
    Fact: Midwives can deliver babies in a variety of settings. While most midwives practice in hospitals, midwives may also practice in hospital birth centers, free-standing birth centers, and at home.

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    Myth: Woman who are cared for by midwives cannot have pain medications such as an epidural during labor.
    Fact: Midwives work with women to help them experience a satisfying and fulfilling birth experience. Many midwife patients decide to use pain medications during labor. However, women who want to birth without pain medications often specifically choose midwives for their ability to provide natural labor support. Midwives are skilled at helping women to labor naturally utilizing techniques such as position change, hydrotherapy (labor in water), massage, and other holistic modalities.

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    Myth: Midwives cannot practice independently (without a physician).
    Fact: Nurse-Midwives are licensed independent practitioners in Maryland. Midwives have physician consultants who work with them if complications arise. Most healthy women who seek midwifery care will only need to see their midwife during the course of their care.

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    Myth: Midwives do not have formalized educations.
    Fact: Certified Nurse-Midwives have a master’s degree, and are board certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). All midwives in Maryland are licensed and registered with the state.

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    Myth: Midwives cannot prescribe medications.
    Fact: Certified Nurse-Midwives can prescribe medications in all 50 states.

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