A certified nurse-midwife is a registered nurse who has received additional
post-graduate training in obstetrics and midwifery. The CNM often has a masters degree and must pass a national
certifying examination that is given by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). The ACNM is a governing body
that sets standards for nurse-midwifery care and is the national voice for nurse-midwifery practices. There
are approximately 5500 members nationwide.
Is a Certified Nurse-Midwife
a licensed professional?
Yes. In Alaska, the CNMs' practices are regulated by the Board of Nursing.
CNMs who provide direct client care must apply for authorization to practice under the guidelines listed for Advanced
Nurse Practitioners.
How does a Certified Nurse-Midwife differ from a Certified
Directy-Entry Midwife?
Certified Direct-Entry Midwives (CDMs) come from a variety of educational
backgrounds. The only formal education required by the state for CDMs is a high school diploma or GED. After completing
an apprenticeship under another CDM, they must pass a diret-entry midwife exam. CDMs are allowed to care for low-risk
pregnant women through 6 weeks postpartum. They may deliver in the home or at an out-of-hospital birth center.
They are allowed to use a few medications specific to pregnancy and birth.
Certified Nurse-Midwives have full prescriptive authority as Advanced Nurse
Practitioners. This means they can prescribe any medication needed for a woman's healthcare needs. They can care
for women from puberty throughout the rest of their lifespan. CNMs attend deliveries at homes, birth centers, and hospitals.
Their educational requirements were outlined above.
How does CNM care differ from that of a physician?
The physician is trained to provide medical care to very ill women or women
with major complications. The medical emphasis is on managing illness. CNMs use a midwifery model of care
-- emphasizing the "normal" physiological process of pregnancy and birthing. An integral part of her care includes client
education and counseling. She often is able to spend more time with each client than a physician is able to. The
CNM's goal is to provide quality, individualized care to each woman with a minumum of invasive interventions.
What if there is a problem with my pregnancy or delivery?
CNMs collaborate closely with physicians. If your condition becomes
complicated, the CNM consults the appropriate physician and either co-manages your care with the physician or refers you to
his/her practice for care. The CNM will often continue in her role as support person/counselor/advocate even if a physician
has assumed your care.
