What Does a Midwife Do? Busting Myths About Midwifery
When you hear the word midwife, what comes to mind? For many, it conjures up images of a woman catching babies at home by candlelight, or a practice rooted in the past. But midwifery is modern, evidence-based, and deeply centered around the unique needs of birthing people. In this post, we’re busting some common myths and explaining what midwives really do, including the different types of midwives and how to choose the right one for you.
MYTH #1: Midwives only attend home births.
Truth: Midwives practice in many settings—including hospitals, birth centers, and homes. Some midwives have advanced medical training and work in collaboration with physicians. Others specialize in low-intervention, physiologic birth. Regardless of the setting, midwives focus on personalized, holistic care.
MYTH #2: Midwives aren't medically trained.
Truth: Midwives receive extensive education and clinical training. Many are licensed or certified through national boards. Depending on their type, they may provide full-scope reproductive and primary care—including pap smears, STI testing, contraceptive counseling, and prescriptions.
MYTH #3: Midwives only support pregnancy and birth.
Truth: Midwives provide care throughout the lifespan—not just during pregnancy. From first periods to menopause, many midwives offer wellness exams, fertility counseling, mental health support, and more.
MYTH #4: Midwives are only for people who want an unmedicated or “natural” birth.
Truth: Midwives support your birth choices—whether that includes water birth, epidurals, or planned cesareans. While many midwives specialize in low-intervention care, they also work with clients who want or need medical interventions. Midwifery is about informed choice, not one “right” way to give birth.
MYTH #5: You can’t have a midwife if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
Truth: Some midwives co-manage care with OBs for higher-risk pregnancies, and midwives are trained to identify complications and consult or refer when necessary. Even if you risk out of home birth, you may still benefit from midwifery care in a hospital setting, where a midwife can continue to provide emotional and clinical support. Your home birth midwife can also continue to support you during and after your hospital birth.
MYTH #7: Midwives are only for birthing people—they don’t take care of partners or families.
Truth: Midwives often provide care that includes the whole family. Many offer partner education, emotional support, lactation guidance, and even primary care for people of all genders. Midwifery care can be a healing and empowering experience for everyone involved in the journey.
Types of Midwives in the United States
Understanding the types of midwives can help you choose one that aligns with your goals, values, and birth preferences:
1. Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
A CNM is a licensed healthcare provider who is also a registered nurse.
They have a master’s or doctoral degree in midwifery.
CNMs can practice in all 50 states and attend births in hospitals, birth centers, and homes (depending on state regulations).
They provide full-scope care, including pregnancy, birth, postpartum, newborn care, gynecologic care, and primary care.
CNMs can prescribe medications, order labs, and collaborate with OBs when needed.
2. Certified Midwife (CM)
CMs are similar to CNMs but come from a non-nursing background.
They hold a graduate degree in midwifery and are certified through the same board as CNMs.
Currently, CMs are only licensed in a few states.
They also provide comprehensive care for pregnancy and beyond.
3. Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)
CPMs are trained specifically in out-of-hospital birth.
They meet national certification standards through the North American Registry of Midwives.
Their training may be through formal education, apprenticeships, or both.
CPMs primarily attend births at home or in freestanding birth centers.
Licensing for CPMs varies by state, and not all can prescribe medications or order labs.
4. Traditional or Community Midwife
These midwives often serve within specific cultural, religious, or community traditions.
They may or may not be licensed by the state, depending on local laws.
They often center ancestral practices, herbal medicine, and spiritual support alongside birth work.
Many provide deeply personalized care for communities that have been historically excluded from the medical system.
Midwifery Is for Everyone
Whether you're planning a home birth, looking for a provider who takes time to listen, or seeking reproductive care that centers your autonomy, midwifery offers a model of care grounded in respect, knowledge, and partnership.
At Sacred Waters Midwifery & Birth in Color Midwifery, we honor the full scope of midwifery care—supporting clients through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. As a Certified Nurse-Midwife, I combine evidence-based practice with heart-centered care that affirms your identity, choices, and lived experience.
Have questions about working with a midwife or wondering what model of care is right for you?
Reach out today or schedule a free consultation at www.birthincolormidwifery.com. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
