Midwives are skilled specialists in normal birth, but are trained to recognize possible problems.
The midwife must be able to give the necessary supervision, care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries on her own responsibility and to care for the newborn and the mother. This care includes preventative measures, the detection of abnormal conditions in mother and child, the procurement of medical assistance and the execution of emergency measures in the absence of medical help. She has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the patients, but also within the family and community. International Confederation of Midwives Midwives are the only people whose training is concerned solely with maternity care.