A certified nurse-midwife is a professional healthcare practitioner who is medically trained to provide care before, during, and after childbirth.
The relationship between a midwife and an expectant mother may be more subtle than between a physician and most pregnant women.
The Services provided by Midwives may include gynecological exams (Pap smears, pelvic scans, breast examination), prescription drugs, and fetal monitoring during labor.
Midwives are trained to handle medical emergencies that may arise during the birthing process.
Midwives can prescribe medication or recommend a referral to a physician for specific medical problems. Midwives often confer with physicians during the birth process.