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Certified Nurse-Midwives

Approximately 7,000 CNMs provide prenatal and gynecological care to women, deliver babies and provide postpartum care. In 2002, the most current year for which data is available from the National Center for Health Statistics, there were more than 307,000 CNM-attended births in the US.

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While the majority of midwife-attended births still occur in hospitals, CNMs also practice in birthing centers and oversee home births. Many work as independent businesspeople, either as solo practitioners or in partnership with an OB/GYN or other CNMs. Most states require CNMs to be RNs, master’s prepared.

Independent practices offer two major advantages, say CNMs. First, their generally well-educated patients tend to treat nurse-midwives – whom they view as healthcare partners – with confidence and respect. Second, the CNM can provide continuity of care into the postpartum setting. The downside? Some independent CNMs say they earn less than they would in a hospital. The American College of Nurse-Midwives estimates that full-time CNMs make approximately $60,000 to $90,000 a year.