Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are licensed healthcare practitioners educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery. CNMs must graduate from an accredited education program (all of our CNM’s hold Master’s degrees) and pass a rigorous certification exam. They provide primary healthcare to women of childbearing age including: prenatal care, birth & post-partum care care gynecological exams, menopausal management and primary care.  They also are able to care for healthy newborns up to 6 weeks of age. CNMs attend over 10% of the births in the United States. Nurse-Midwives are experts in “normal,” and differ from other providers in their approach to care.  The philosophy of nurse-midwifery care focuses on the needs of the individual and family for physical care, emotional and social support and active involvement of significant others according to their personal preferences. Because of the high standards established for education and certification, CNMs are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They are held to the rigorous standards of practice set by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and by state licensing organizations. Many well-conducted studies have established the safety and cost-effectiveness of nurse-midwifery care.