Midwifery and Woman’s Health
Midwifery and Woman’s Health
Midwifery practice, as defined by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), includes health care for women from adolescence through menopause (2011). Midwives provide primary care; gynecologic, family planning, and preconception care; care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period; care of the normal newborn during the first 28 days of life; and treatment of male partners for sexually transmitted infections (American College of Nurse-Midwives, 2011). Midwives provide care in a number of settings, including the home, birthing center, clinic, office, and hospital.
Midwifery practice facilitates natural processes with an emphasis on the holistic care of women within the context of their families and communities. Midwives partner with women to provide evidence-based, individualized care (American College of Nurse-Midwives, n.d). The midwife collaborates with appropriate health care professionals and refers the woman and/or newborn to specialists as needed if complications arise beyond the midwife’s scope of practice.