Collaborative Midwifery care
What is a CNM?
Midwife means “with woman.” Midwives partner with women to help make important health decisions. Midwives work with other members of a woman's health care team when needed, but a midwife may also be your primary care provider. CNM's are licensed, independent health care providers with prescriptive authority in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and USVI.
Philosophy
Midwives affirm the power and strength of women and the importance of their health in the well-being of families, communities
Midwives & You
Midwives are devoted to addressing the health needs of women. They provide a whole-woman approach to care from puberty through and beyond menopause. Your midwife will work with you to prepare for pregnancy, provide care through labor and birth and support you as you move into parenthood. . Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) are also educated to manage your gynecology needs and provide you with general health care services throughout your life.
Hallmarks of Midwifery
The art and science of midwifery are characterized by the following hallmarks:
A. Recognition of menarche, pregnancy, birth, and menopause as normal physiologic and developmental processes
B. Advocacy of non-intervention in normal processes in the absence of complications
C. Incorporation of scientific evidence into clinical practice
D. Promotion of woman- and family-centered care
E. Empowerment of women as partners in health care
F. Facilitation of healthy family and interpersonal relationships
G. Promotion of continuity of care
H. Health promotion, disease prevention, and health education
I. Promotion of a public health care perspective
J. Care to vulnerable populations
K. Advocacy for informed choice, shared decision making, and the right to self-determination
L. Integration of cultural humility
M. Incorporation of evidence-based complementary and alternative therapies in education and practice
N. Skillful communication, guidance, and counseling
O. Therapeutic value of human presence
P. Collaboration with other members of the interprofessional health care team
Reference: Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice (2012), Retrieved from https://www.midwife.org/acnm/files/ACNMLibraryData/UPLOADFILENAME/000000000050/
Core%20Comptencies%20Dec%202012.pdf. (2019).
