A midwife is a trained and licensed health care professional who provides care through the reproductive life cycle. This care begins with menstruation through menopause. Midwives may provide services such
as Pap and HPV screenings, breast exams, family planning, fertility services, STI testing and much more.

Pregnant women may see a midwife for all their prenatal care appointments. They are able to provide prenatal care in various settings such as a private offices, hospitals, medical clinics, birth centers, and inhome settings. Midwives provide a range of care throughout pregnancy from conducting physical examinations to educating moms about nutrition. They can order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic test results. Midwives care for families with the understanding that childbirth is a normal physiological process.

Midwives are trained to manage the entire process of labor. Midwives deliver babies in hospitals, birth centers, and home settings. During labor midwives are present with women implementing care and
support. They make sure both mom and baby are doing well through observation, touch, checking heart tones, and monitoring contractions. Midwives are able to implement a range of strategies to help mothers cope with the challenges of labor such as massage, using a birth tub, and walking.

Midwives are able to care for both mothers and babies during the postpartum period. They assess for any physical and emotional warning signs. They may conduct the newborn care exam, weighing and measuring baby, checking reflexes and heart tones. They provide assistance with breastfeeding. Many midwives provide follow up care within 24 hours after birth for mother and baby. Follow-up visits are often scheduled at day 3, at day 5, at 2 weeks, at 4 weeks, and at 6 weeks. The postpartum care given by midwives helps women through the healing and recovery process, in addition to facilitating bonding with their babies.