In the United States, there are three different types of certification for midwives, each of which requires different qualifications. Choosing a midwife with specific certifications is a key consideration when deciding which midwife might be the most suitable professional for your particular birth.
In the midwifery model of care, birth is viewed as a natural life process in which those giving birth actively participate in their own care. This model emphasises quality communication, the building of emotional bonds and minimal intervention. In the medical model, birth is viewed as a medically significant event. All three types of midwifery certification uphold the midwifery model of care, but the difference between them lies in the requirements for each type of certification and who issues them.
- Certified Midwife (CM): Certified midwives have completed a programme of study approved by the American Board of Certification in Midwifery and hold a postgraduate degree from an accredited university, where they have studied specific scientific subjects. They must also meet certain clinical experience requirements. CMs are licensed to practise in only a few US states.
- Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): CNMs have completed a postgraduate degree in midwifery and are Registered Nurses. CNMs are certified by the American Board of Midwifery Certification. CNMs are licensed to practise in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and US territories.
- Certified Professional Midwife (CPM): CPMs are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives, not by the American Board of Midwifery Certification. One of the main differences between the two organisations is that the North American Registry of Midwives does not require a specific degree for certification. Another significant difference is that CPM training is specifically geared towards community or out-of-hospital births. Many states do not recognise CPM certification.
Depending on your state, midwives with certain levels of certification may not be an option for you, and it may be difficult to get insurance to cover the cost of midwifery care. For more information on CMs and CNMs, see this webpage. For more information on CPMs, go here.
Reviewed by the clinical team at Ovia Health by Labcorp
Sources
- “Why AMCB Certification?” AMCBMidwife. American Midwifery Certification Board, Inc., 2013. Web.
- “The Midwife Model of Care”. CFMidwifery. Midwifery Task Force, Inc., Citizens for Midwifery, 2005. Web.
- “How to Become a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)”. GraduateNursingEdu. GraduateNursingEDU.org, 2017. Web.
- American College of Nurse-Midwives
- North American Registry of Midwives
