Midwifery

March 13, 2026 | The history of the midwife, women charged with assisting in the childbirth process as well as the care of young children, dates back thousands of years. Women-centered childbirth, practiced by apprentice midwives, played a pivotal role throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. The same was true on American soil until the 20th century. In colonial times, midwifery reflected women from all backgrounds, including enslaved Black women, who worked as enslaved midwives in the antebellum South. The women’s movement in the 1960s and 1970s saw an increase in interest in midwifery as more and more women looked for options that allowed them to reclaim their bodies. There are roughly 17,000 certified midwives practicing in the U.S. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, midwives were present at 1.1 percent of births in the U.S. in 1980. By 2021, that number increased to nearly 12 percent.

March 13, 2026 | Are you an expecting mother considering your delivery options? A midwife is a health care professional who cares for people during pregnancy and childbirth. Many midwives also provide care for newborns and offer routine reproductive care, like pelvic exams and birth control counseling. Midwives are known for providing personalized, relationship-based care. They take time to listen, educate and support you in making informed choices. Many people choose a midwife because they value a care approach that focuses on the whole person, not just the pregnancy. Midwives often support low-intervention or unmedicated birth when appropriate. But their priority is always safety. You may choose a midwife if you desire a birth with minimal medical intervention or are planning a birth at home or in a birth center. But midwives fully support you if you choose to use pain medications or receive an epidural in a hospital setting.

March 13, 2026 | Certified Nurse Midwives are specialists in normal birth who are nationally certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and follow international standards for Midwifery. They can care for a mother through her pregnancy, labor and postpartum as well provide routine well-woman care from puberty to menopause. Should any complications arise, the midwives will consult with obstetricians, maternal fetal medicine specialists and other physicians to provide the most comprehensive care for a mother and her baby. Certified Nurse Midwives like those in the UAMS Women’s Center try to protect the birthing process as a normal and physiologic process. They limit interfering in the normal labor process unless medically necessary. Should a complication arise, the mother will continue to be a part of the decision-making process. To request a midwife, call the UAMS Women’s Center at (501) 296-1800.

March 13, 2026 | A midwife might be for you if you have a low-risk pregnancy and you desire a more personalized relationship with your provider. Even if you have a health condition that could complicate your pregnancy or delivery, such as diabetes, or high blood pressure, midwifery care may still be an option. Midwives are trained to recognize when you need additional medical support. The use of a midwife has been shown to lower the chances of a C-section and the need for medications to speed up slowed labor. Midwives also have lower rates of complications like infection, excessive bleeding and vaginal tears during childbirth. Pregnancy, labor and delivery are very personal experiences. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to find the right fit for you. Whether you decide to use a midwife, an obstetrician/gynecologist or a combination of both, your health care providers will work together to help provide the best care.

March 13, 2026 | Certified nurse midwives are registered nurses with a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing. In addition to pregnancy care and delivery, CNMs can provide general reproductive care, prescribe medications, order and review lab tests and manage medical conditions. CNMs in the United States are nationally certified and licensed to work in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They work in hospitals, clinics, birth centers and homes. The Master of Nursing Science program in Nurse-Midwifery at UAMS consists of 47 credit hours and 840 clinical hours. Students must have completed a bachelor’s in nursing and hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse prior to the start of the program. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to take the American Midwifery Certification Board Examination, apply for APRN and DEA licensure, and subsequently begin practice as entry-level midwives.