What is a “Registered” or “Direct-Entry” Midwife?
“Direct-Entry Midwife” is the umbrella term for midwives that are either “licensed”, “registered”, “certified”, “documented”, or “permitted.” Midwifery would be legal or A-legal in her state. 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 Midwives Model of Care to healthy women and newborns throughout the childbearing cycle primarily in out-of-hospital settings. They provide complete prenatal, birth, and postpartum care until 6 weeks after delivery for low risk women. They rely on natural methods of healing and support throughout the pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
