Explore midwife care in Minnesota, including prenatal visits, labor support, postpartum care & how midwives collaborate with OB-GYNs to ensure safe births.
Overview
What Is a Midwife?
A midwife is a highly trained healthcare professional who provides specialized care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, and reproductive health. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) offer medical care similar to OB-GYNs for low-risk pregnancies, with an emphasis on education, prevention, and individualized support.
Midwives provide prenatal care, support during labor and delivery, postpartum follow-up, and ongoing reproductive health services. They focus on building relationships with patients while monitoring for any changes that may require additional medical attention.
You can schedule an appointment with a midwife at M Health Fairview to explore personalized pregnancy care options.
What are the Different Types of Midwives?
Several types of midwives practice in the U.S., each with distinct education, certification, and care settings.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)
Certified Nurse Midwives are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in pregnancy, childbirth, and women’s health. CNMs complete graduate-level education and clinical training and are certified by a national board. They provide prenatal care, deliver babies, and offer postpartum and reproductive health services, often working within hospitals or healthcare systems.
Certified Midwives (CMs)
Certified Midwives hold graduate-level training in midwifery but do not have a nursing background. They complete accredited education and certification requirements similar to CNMs. CMs provide comparable care, though they practice in fewer states and often work in clinical or hospital settings.
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)
Certified Professional Midwives focus on community-based birth settings, such as homes or birth centers. Their training emphasizes out-of-hospital care and hands-on clinical experience. CPMs are certified through national credentialing organizations and specialize in low-risk pregnancies outside hospital environments.
Midwife vs. OB-GYN: What’s the Difference?
Both midwives and OB-GYNs provide pregnancy and reproductive care, but they approach care differently. Understanding these differences can help patients choose the right provider for their needs. For more details, see this guide.
| Care Focus | Midwife | OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist) |
| Primary Approach | Holistic, relationship-based care with a focus on education and prevention | Medical and surgical approach with emphasis on diagnosing and managing complications |
| Type of Pregnancies Managed | Primarily low-risk pregnancies | Low- and high-risk pregnancies |
| Appointment Style | Longer visits with time for discussion and education | Typically shorter, medically focused visits |
| Birth Philosophy | Supports physiologic birth with minimal intervention when appropriate | May use medical interventions when indicated |
| Procedures & Surgery | Does not perform surgery; focuses on non-invasive care | Can perform cesarean sections and gynecologic surgeries |
| Collaboration in Care | Works closely with OB-GYNs when higher-level care is needed | May consult or co-manage with midwives |
When a Midwife May Be the Right Choice
A midwife may be a strong fit for patients with low-risk pregnancies who value personalized care, longer visits, and a supportive approach to birth. Many patients choose midwives for guidance through pregnancy and labor for their emphasis on education and shared decision-making.
When an OB-GYN May Be Recommended
An OB-GYN may be recommended for patients with high-risk pregnancies, underlying medical conditions, or situations that may require surgical intervention or specialized monitoring. Learn more about OB-GYN care at M Health Fairview.
At M Health Fairview, midwives work in close partnership with OB-GYN physicians, ensuring a smooth transition to advanced medical care whenever additional support is needed.
What are the Benefits of Choosing a Hospital Midwife?
If you’re interested in midwife care but want the security of medical support, hospital-based midwives provide a balanced approach. They combine personalized, supportive care with access to advanced medical resources when needed.
Personalized Prenatal Care
Hospital midwives provide longer prenatal visits that prioritize education, questions, and relationship-building. Patients receive guidance on pregnancy changes, nutrition, and preparation for birth, creating a strong foundation of trust and understanding.
Support for Your Birth Preferences
A hospital-based midwife will help patients explore birth plans, including pain management options, labor positions, and support techniques. They provide clear, evidence-based guidance and support informed decision-making, while remaining adaptable to changes that may arise during labor and delivery.
Lower Intervention Rates and VBAC Support
Research shows that midwifery care in hospital settings is associated with lower rates of unnecessary interventions, including cesarean births, while maintaining safe outcomes for low-risk pregnancies.
At M Health Fairview, our midwives also support vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) when clinically appropriate, helping patients pursue safe, individualized birth options.
Collaborative Care With OB-GYN Specialists
If complications arise, midwives coordinate closely with OB-GYN physicians and hospital teams. This collaborative, team-based approach ensures patients receive timely, appropriate care and access to advanced medical support at every stage of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
Access to Support When You Need It
Patients have access to experienced midwives who provide guidance across pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. Ongoing support helps address concerns early and promotes confidence in care decisions.
Who Our Midwives Care For
Expecting Parents Seeking Personalized Pregnancy Care
Our midwives care for individuals who want a relationship-based approach to pregnancy. They prioritize communication, education, and continuity of care from early pregnancy through postpartum recovery.
Patients With Low-Risk Pregnancies
Midwives at M Health Fairview specialize in supporting healthy pregnancies while closely monitoring for any changes. They provide comprehensive care while identifying when additional medical support may be needed.
Families Looking for a Collaborative Birth Team
Many patients choose our midwives for guidance through pregnancy and labor, with an emphasis on education and shared decision-making. This approach combines individualized support with access to hospital resources and OB-GYN specialists when needed.
Our approach
M Health Fairview’s Approach to Midwifery Care: What to Expect
At M Health Fairview, midwifery care is centered around building relationships, providing guidance, and supporting you through every stage of pregnancy and beyond. Our approach focuses on personalized care, open communication, and helping you feel informed and confident in your decisions.
Prenatal Visits Focused on Education and Support
Prenatal visits are designed to give you time, support, and personalized guidance throughout your pregnancy. Your midwife will take the time to answer questions, discuss your preferences, and help you understand the physical and emotional changes you may experience.
Labor and Birth Support
During labor and delivery, your midwife is there to guide and support you through each stage. They offer hands-on support, comfort techniques, and reassurance while helping you stay aligned with your birth preferences. If additional medical care is needed, your midwife works closely with the care team to ensure a safe and coordinated experience.
Postpartum Care for Mother and Baby
Care continues after delivery, with a focus on your recovery and your baby’s well-being. Your midwife provides ongoing support as you adjust to life with your newborn, offering guidance on feeding, recovery, and emotional health to help you feel confident during the postpartum period.
When additional support is needed, they coordinate care with lactation consultants to help navigate breastfeeding challenges.
Team-Based Care Within a Leading Health System
At M Health Fairview, your midwife is part of a larger, integrated care team that includes OB-GYNs, nurses, and pediatric specialists. This collaborative approach ensures you receive personalized attention along with access to advanced medical expertise whenever it’s needed. Our certified nurse-midwives are qualified to order pain medication and perform medical procedures for our patients.
Benefits of choosing a midwife with M Health Fairview for your pregnancy include:
- A personalized, holistic approach to care from your first prenatal visit with a midwife.
- Access to our midwives, on-call at all times should any questions or concerns arise.
- Low cesarean (c-section) rates - 12.4 percent primary c-section rate.
- High success rates, 87.5 percent, of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBACs).
- Expertise in medication-free labor support tools including; upright mobility support, intermittent fetal monitoring, labor slings, rebozzo, hydrotherapy, and waterbirth.
- Access to pain medication in labor including nitrous oxide and epidurals.
Certified nurse-midwives trained to recognize and manage complications early. Should birth become complicated, the University of Minnesota Medical Center offers immediate support of OB/GYN, anesthesia and NICU teams in the hospital 24/7. You can depend on our exceptional collaborative care model built on evidence, communication, and trust.
Sometimes births become complicated and additional support is needed. Certified nurse-midwives are trained to recognize and manage complications early. Our team has an exceptional collaborative care model with our OB/GYN partners, built on evidence, trust, and communication and at the University of Minnesota Medical Center there is always an OB/GYN and NICU team in the hospital at all times.
FAQs About Midwives
A midwife provides medical care during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, as well as reproductive health services. They monitor health, support labor and delivery, offer education, and collaborate with physicians when needed to ensure safe outcomes.
Many patients choose midwives for longer visits, personalized care, and a focus on low-intervention birth. Midwives emphasize education and shared decision-making while still providing medical oversight for low-risk pregnancies.
Midwives do not perform surgery or manage high-risk pregnancies independently. Patients with complex medical conditions may require care from or collaboration with an OB-GYN to ensure appropriate treatment.
Not always. Midwives manage many low-risk pregnancies independently. However, they collaborate with OB-GYNs when complications arise or when specialized care is required.
Costs vary depending on insurance and care setting. Midwifery care may reduce certain intervention-related costs, but coverage depends on individual insurance plans and provider networks.
Most insurance plans cover midwifery care, especially when provided within a hospital system. Patients should confirm coverage details with their insurance provider.
