Types of Midwives
There are multiple types of midwives in the United States. Most are Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) or Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs). There are a smaller number of Naturopathic Physician Midwives and traditional midwives. Training, education, style and scope of practice, certification, and license status vary among midwives. We encourage pregnant people and families to ask prospective midwives questions about these and other qualifications before choosing a midwife so that you find the best match for you. A comprehensive list of interview questions can be found here.
Types of Midwives in Oregon
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)
The CPM is a competency-based credential that recognizes multiple routes of education. CPMs have met clinical requirements and passed skills evaluation and a written exam. CPMs provide prenatal, birth, postpartum, and well-woman care. Many states, including Oregon, include the CPM in their licensure requirements. The CPM credential requires out-of-hospital birth experience.
More information on the CPM credential is available here.
Licensed Direct-Entry Midwife (LDM)
LDMs are licensed in the state of Oregon to provide prenatal, birth and postpartum care and they work in home and birth center settings. The CPM credential and additional clinical experience are part of the requirements for licensure as an LDM in Oregon.
Oregon LDMs carry oxygen, IV fluids, anti-hemorrhagic medications, local anesthetics for suturing, vitamin K and ophthalmic antibiotics for newborns. Oregon LDMs can order lab work, obstetric ultrasound and newborn metabolic screening.
Additional information about LDMs is available here.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Nurse Midwives are trained in both nursing and midwifery, primarily in the hospital setting. CNMs are Advanced Practice Nurses and have a Master’s or Doctoral degree from a university-affiliated Nurse-Midwifery program accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. They provide prenatal, birth, and postpartum care primarily in the hospital setting, though some CNMs practice in home or birth center settings as well. Outside of the childbearing year, CNMs also provide well-woman care throughout the life cycle.
Additional information about CNMs is available here.
Naturopathic Physician Midwife
Naturopathic Physician who are midwives receive a doctoral degree from a four- year accredited naturopathic medical school and complete clinical training in the treatment and management of pregnancy and natural childbirth under a licensed naturopathic midwife. They are licensed to practice in Oregon and New Hampshire.
Additional information about Naturopathic Physician Midwives is available here.
Traditional Midwife
A small number of traditional midwives attend births in Oregon, often serving specific religious or cultural communities. While many traditional midwives have extensive training and experience there is no standardization of training and no regulation of practice. Traditional midwives do not use oxygen, IV fluids, or anti-hemorrhagic medications, and do not suture. Traditional midwives in Oregon must provide a disclosure to their clients so and meet certain requirements, as detailed here.