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Glossary of Midwifery Terms
Note:
Definitions in italics are taken directly from the documents of the
organizations cited. Statements not in italics are extracted or
summarized from these documents or other sources. Listings are arranged
alphabetically. The links will take you to the webpages of the organizations listed.
American
College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM): The American College of
Nurse-Midwives is the professional organization representing certified
nurse-midwives and certified midwives. It is responsible for the
accreditation of nurse-midwifery educational programs; for a wide array
of programs to further education, research, and clinical practice for
midwives; and for the promotion of legislative, regulatory, and
organizational policies that support midwifery in the United States and
abroad. The Division of Accreditation (DOA) of the ACNM is recognized
by the U. S. Department of Education for the accreditation of
nurse-midwifery education programs, and is currently seeking
recognition for the accreditation of direct-entry midwifery programs.
The mission of the ACNM is to promote the health and well-being of
women and infants within their families and communities through the
development and support of the profession of nurse-midwifery (ACNM).
American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB): The AMCB is the national certifying body for
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs). The
certification function is a critical aspect of professional quality
assurance in midwifery. Nurse-midwives have been certified by
examination since 1971. At that time, certification rested within the
American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), first within the Division of
Examiners, and then within the Division of Competency Assessment. In
1991, in keeping with the professional standard that certification
should be separated from the professional organization, the AMCB was
incorporated as a distinct organization charged with functions related
to the midwifery certificate. These functions include initial
certification, recertification (certificate maintenance) and
discipline. In 1998, in addition to the CNM certificate, the AMCB began
to offer certification to professionally educated midwives who were not
first educated as nurses. The CM certificate is offered to candidates
from ACNM accredited programs in midwifery. The AMCB was formerly known as the ACNM Certification Council.
Certified Midwife (CM): A
certified midwife (CM) is an individual educated in the discipline of
midwifery, who possesses evidence of certifications according to the
requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM, 1997).
At the present time, there are only a few CMs in clinical practice;
most of these graduated from the State University of New York at
Downstate program and practice in New York State.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM):
A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is an individual educated in the two
disciplines of nursing and midwifery, who possesses evidence of
certification according to the requirements of the American College of
Nurse-Midwives (ACNM, 1992, revised 1997). CNMs attend births
primarily in the hospital (96%); although they may also practice in
birth centers (3%) or in the home (1%). There are approximately 5700
CNMs currently practicing. Nurse-midwifery practice is legal in every
state and in the District of Columbia. Births attended by CNMs have
risen steadily since 1975; CNMs presently attend over 6% of births
nationwide and almost 20% of births in some states, including Florida,
New Mexico, and Oregon.
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM): A
certified professional midwife is an independent practitioner who has
met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry
of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the Midwifery Model of
Care. The NARM certification process recognizes multiple routes of
entry into midwifery and includes verification of knowledge and skills
and the successful completion of both a written examination and a
skills assessment. The CPM credential requires training in
out-of-hospital births (MANA).
Direct-entry Midwife: A
direct-entry midwife is an independent practitioner educated in the
discipline of midwifery through self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery
school, or a college or university-based program distinct from the
discipline of nursing. A direct-entry midwife is trained to provide
the Midwifery Model of Care to healthy women and newborns throughout
the childbearing cycle primary in out-of-hospital settings (MANA).
International Confederation of Midwives (ICM): The purpose of the International Confederation of Midwives is
to advance education in midwifery, and spread knowledge of the art and
science of midwifery, with the aim of improving the standard of care
provided to mothers and babies and the family, throughout the countries
of the world (ICM). ICM members are midwifery associations or midwifery groups within other organizations, currently representing 53 countries.
Lay
Midwife: A lay midwife is one who obtained her knowledge and skills
informally, either through self-study or an apprenticeship program
without formal educational requirements and other standards; and who
practices outside the established health care system. Presently, many
midwives consider this to be a pejorative term, and use it only in a
historical context. Other midwives are proud to describe themselves as
lay midwives, and believe that formal education necessarily leads to
co-opting by the medical mainstream and loss of autonomy for midwives.
Other terms with similar connotations are traditional midwife, granny
midwife, and independent midwife.
Licensed
Midwife (LM): A licensed midwife is a midwife who is licensed to
practice in the jurisdiction in which she holds a license. In
Washington State, this term refers specifically to direct-entry
midwives who have met certain prerequisites for licensure.
Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC): The
Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) was formed in April,
1991, by the National Coalition of Midwifery Educators, as a
not-for-profit corporation. The purpose of the Council is to accredit
direct-entry midwifery educational programs and institutions under the
rules of the Department of Education (DOE). MEAC's standards for
accreditation were developed by expert midwifery educators from a
variety of direct-entry midwifery educational programs in the United
States. MEAC is in the process of applying for recognition as a
federally recognized accrediting agency by the Department of Education.
Institutions and programs accredited by MEAC shall provide the student
with the requirements necessary to qualify for the North American
Registry of Midwives national examination leading to certification as a
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) (MEAC).
Midwives' Alliance of North America (MANA): The
Midwives' Alliance of North America (MANA) is an organization of North
American midwives and their advocates. MANA's central mission is to
promote midwifery as a quality health care option for North American
families (MANA). MANA's members include direct-entry midwives and nurse-midwives as well as midwifery advocates.
Midwife (International Definition):
A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a
midwifery educational program duly recognized in the country in which
it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of
studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to
be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery.
She
must be able to give the necessary supervision, care, and advice to
women during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, to conduct
deliveries on her own responsibility, and to care for the newborn and
the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the detection of
abnormal conditions in mother and child, the procurement of medical
assistance and the execution of emergency measures in the absence of
medical help.
She has an important task in health
counseling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the
family and the community. The work should involve antenatal education
and preparation for parenthood and extends to certain areas of
gynecology, family planning, and child care. She may practice in
hospitals, clinics, health units, domiciliary conditions or in any
other service (World Health Organization/ICM).
Midwifery Model of Care: The
Midwifery Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth
are normal life events. The Midwifery Model of Care includes monitoring
the physical, psychological, and social well- being of the mother
throughout the childbearing cycle; providing the mother with
individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care; continuous
hands-on assistance during labor and delivery; postpartum support;
minimizing technological interventions; and identifying and referring
women who require obstetrical attention. The application of this
woman-centered model has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth
injury, trauma, and cesarean section (MANA).
North American Registry of Midwives (NARM): The
North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) is an international
certification agency whose mission is to establish and administer
certification for the credential "Certified Professional Midwife"
(CPM). CPM certification validates entry-level knowledge, skills, and
experience vital to responsible midwifery practice. This international
certification process encompasses multiple educational routes of entry
including apprenticeship, self-study, private midwifery schools,
college- and university- based midwifery programs, and nurse-midwifery.
Created in 1987 by the Midwives' Alliance of North America (MANA), NARM
is committed to identifying standards and practices that reflect the
excellence and diversity of the independent midwifery community in
order to set the standard for North American midwifery (NARM).
