A nurse midwife often works in a hospital or birthing center. Some certified nurse midwives will attend home births. A certified nurse midwife has attended nursing school to become an RN and then received even more training about birth. Nurse midwives are more likely to attend to you during your entire labor. Often, with doctors, you will see nurses until it is time to push.
Nurse midwives are usually more open to natural childbirth options.
Most nurse midwives have the philosophy that hey are there to help you deliver your baby. Nurse midwives almost always work in conjunction with a doctor and many times you will have met the doctor you would have to see if a problem arouse. They are usually available to answer questions more readily than a doctor. They are not able to deliver if there are any complications or risk factors. A nurse midwife is able to provide, in a sense, the best of both worlds.