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Midwifery is steeped in history. From biblical times midwives were “with women” at the time of birth, protecting the welfare of mothers and their babies. Over the centuries midwives have continued to care for women during their pregnancies and births. In the United States today, there are approx 6500 practicing certified nurse midwives (CNM's) attending over 10% of the spontaneous vaginal births.
With the establishment of the American College of Nurse Midwives, and nationally accredited educational programs, nurse midwives now care for women throughout their life span. Ninety percent of visits to CNM's are for primary preventative care including annual exams and reproductive health visits.
Though the centuries have seen the role of nurse midwives expand, the central core of midwifery will never change. Personal, compassionate, professional care that focuses on the specific needs of women will always be the goal. For more information, please visit the American College of Nurse Midwives at:
Web LInks
www.acnm.org
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