What is a midwife?
A midwife is an independent medical care practitioner who specializes in normal reproductive, gynecological, and urinary health processes.

What does a midwife do?
A midwife provides medical care for women throughout their reproductive years. The scope of a CNM is slightly broader than that of a CPM. A midwife provides physical examinations, screenings, and healthcare for all aspects of normal reproduction. This includes preconception counseling, gynecological examinations, screenings, and care; sexually transmitted infection counseling, screening and treatment; contraceptive counseling, prescription, and administration; prenatal, birth, and postpartum care; breastfeeding support; newborn care for the first six weeks; pelvic floor and incontinence care; and perimenopausal and postmenopausal care. State laws dictate the specifics of midwifery scope. Florida laws for midwifery scope can be found here.

Does a midwife do the same things as an OB/GYN?
A midwife does many of the same things an OB/GYN does. But an OB/GYN has a much broader scope than a midwife. A midwife can treat and prescribe for all normal or low-risk obstetric and gynecological conditions, while an OB/GYN physician can provide care for higher-risk patients as well as perform higher-level interventions such as surgeries. Many families choose a midwife for their primary obstetric and gynecological care, and if risks arise, the midwife will involve an OB/GYN in the care plan.

What credentials does a midwife have?
Midwifery credentialling varies widely from state to state--there is no federal standard for midwifery scope or credentialing nationwide. Some states have no midwifery-specific laws or credentials. In the state of Florida, there are two pathways to licensed (legal) midwifery; certified nurse-midwifery (the CNM credential), and certified practical midwifery (the CPM credential).

• The CNM credential requires that the midwife hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), be a registered nurse (RN), and hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally accredited midwifery program. Board certification for the CNM is obtained through the national American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). CNMs in the state of Florida may be required to have physician oversight or involvement in their care and must carry malpractice insurance. CNMs can attend homebirths, birth center births, or hospital births (if they have obtained hospital privileges and credentialing). Many CNMs are part of hospital-based practices. In the state of Florida, CNMs are classified as Advanced Practitioner Registered Nurses (APRN).
• The CPM credential is a certificate awarded after three years of education at a state-accredited school; certification for CPMs is obtained through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). CPMs are not required to have physician oversight or involvement in the care they provide, or carry malpractice insurance. CPMs may attend home births or birth center births; they cannot obtain hospital privileges. CPMs are classified as Licensed Practical Midwives/Licensed Midwives in the state of Florida.

All midwives are required by the state of Florida to hold and maintain current CPR/BLS and neonatal resuscitation certification, as well as certain continuing education units.

What is the midwifery model of care?
The midwifery model of care applies most aspects of traditional obstetric and gynecological women's healthcare to a community-based, low-intervention, holistic model which focuses on the health of the whole woman, and distinguishes normal signs, symptoms, and presentation of reproductive and gynecological health from atypical or abnormal signs, symptoms, and presentation. As such, midwives are specialists of normal female health and risk prevention, and should be able to easily determine when risks are present so that appropriate referral or collaboration with a physician can take place. The midwifery model also focuses on individualization of healthcare, basing care on the specific needs and uniqueness of the individual instead of applying the same care to all patients.

What should I expect if I choose a midwife instead of an OB/GYN?
You should expect that your appointments with your midwife may be longer than those with an OB/GYN. Midwives typically see fewer patients overall than an OB/GYN, so their appointment times can be longer. You should also expect your midwife to get to know you and your needs well. A good midwife will go above and beyond the miniumum standard of care, helping you feel safe, confident, and involved in your care. Your midwife should educate you on all the risks and benefits of any proposed treatment and you should trust your midwife and enjoy your time with her.

At BloomWell, you should expect each appointment with your midwife to take 30-90 minutes, depending on need and appointment type. You should also expect our office to feel comforting and home-like while still feeling confident and safe in the care we are providing.

​Appointments are begun in one of our comfortable consultation areas, where you can discuss your history, questions, and concerns with your midwife before moving to the exam room for just the exam portion of your visit.

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