Common Conditions Treated
by Certified Nurse Midwives
Certified Nurse Midwives are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Here are some of the most common conditions that certified nurse midwives help patients manage:
What to Expect During Your Visit
Understanding what happens during your appointment can help you feel more prepared. Here's what you can typically expect when visiting a certified nurse midwife.
Your First Visit
- Comprehensive health history including medical, surgical, obstetric, and family history
- Discussion of your preferences, concerns, and goals for your care
- Physical examination including vital signs, weight, and pelvic exam if indicated
- Laboratory tests including blood type, complete blood count, and infectious disease screening
- Ultrasound to confirm pregnancy dating if applicable
- Discussion of nutrition, exercise, prenatal vitamins, and lifestyle modifications
- Development of a care plan tailored to your individual needs
- Initial prenatal visits typically last 45-60 minutes with a CNM
Diagnosis & Testing
- Routine prenatal screening tests: genetic screening, glucose tolerance test, group B strep
- Ultrasound examinations to monitor fetal growth and development
- Fetal heart rate monitoring and assessment of fetal movement
- Cervical examination to assess labor progress
- Assessment of maternal vital signs, weight gain, and overall health
- Risk assessment to determine appropriate birth setting and need for consultation
Treatment Options
- Prenatal care with regular monitoring visits increasing in frequency as pregnancy progresses
- Labor support using comfort measures, positioning, hydrotherapy, and encouragement
- Management of vaginal delivery with immediate skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping
- Postpartum care including physical recovery, breastfeeding support, and emotional health
- Prescription of medications as needed (prenatal vitamins, antibiotics, pain relief)
- Referral to specialists or transfer to physician care when complications arise
- Well-woman gynecological care including contraception and health maintenance
Tip for Your Visit
Bring a list of current medications, previous test results, and questions you want to ask. Writing down your symptoms—when they occur and what affects them—helps your certified nurse midwife provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
How to Choose the Right Certified Nurse Midwife
Finding the right healthcare provider is important for your health and peace of mind. Here are key factors to consider when selecting a certified nurse midwife.
Credentials to Verify
- Certification by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
- Graduate degree from an ACME-accredited nurse-midwifery program
- Active, unrestricted advanced practice nursing license in your state
- Prescriptive authority in your state
- Hospital privileges or birth center affiliation if planning facility birth
- Membership in American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
- Collaborative agreement with physicians for consultation and referral
Important Considerations
- Practice setting: hospital, birth center, home birth, or combination
- Philosophy of care and approach to interventions
- Availability for prenatal visits, labor, and delivery
- Coverage arrangements when your midwife is not available
- Hospital transfer protocols and relationships with backup physicians
- Experience with your specific needs (VBAC, twins, etc.)
- Insurance acceptance and payment options
- Patient reviews and recommendations from other mothers
Quick Tip
Don't hesitate to schedule consultations with multiple certified nurse midwifes before making your decision. The right fit isn't just about credentials—it's also about feeling comfortable and confident in your care.
Cost and Insurance Information
Understanding the costs associated with seeing a certified nurse midwife can help you plan for your healthcare needs.
Average Costs (Without Insurance)
Initial Visit
$100-$250 (initial prenatal visit)
Follow-up Visit
$75-$150 (routine prenatal visits)
Common Procedures
Note: These are estimated average costs and can vary based on location, provider, and specific services required.
Insurance Coverage
- Most health insurance plans cover CNM services, including Medicaid and Medicare
- The Affordable Care Act requires coverage of maternity care including midwifery services
- Birth center births are often covered but may require pre-authorization
- Home birth coverage varies significantly by state and insurance plan
- CNM services typically cost less than physician obstetric care
- Many CNM practices offer payment plans for out-of-pocket expenses
Medicare Information
Medicare Part B covers certified nurse midwife services at 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or 100% of the physician fee schedule. CNMs can provide covered services to Medicare beneficiaries including gynecological exams and other women's health services.
Money-Saving Tips
- 1Always verify your certified nurse midwife is in-network before scheduling
- 2Ask about self-pay discounts if you don't have insurance
- 3Inquire about payment plans for expensive procedures
- 4Get prior authorization when required to avoid claim denials
- 5Use FSA or HSA funds for eligible medical expenses
Questions to Ask Your Certified Nurse Midwife
Being prepared for your appointment helps you get the most out of your time with your doctor. Here are important questions to consider asking a certified nurse midwife:
What is your philosophy of care and approach to childbirth?
Where do you attend births - hospital, birth center, or home?
What is your cesarean section rate and intervention rate?
Who covers for you when you are not available?
What is your relationship with backup physicians and how does consultation work?
What are your protocols for handling complications or emergencies?
How do you support natural pain management during labor?
What is included in your prenatal care and how often will I see you?
Do you provide postpartum home visits?
What are your policies on delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin, and breastfeeding support?
Pro Tip
Write down your questions before your appointment and bring them with you. Don't hesitate to take notes during your visit or ask for written instructions.
Certified Nurse Midwife vs. Other Specialists
Understanding the differences between medical specialists helps you choose the right provider for your needs. Here's how certified nurse midwifes compare to similar specialists:
Not sure which specialist you need?
Your primary care physician can help determine the right specialist for your condition and provide a referral if needed.
Sources & References
Information about certified nurse midwifes is sourced from peer-reviewed medical literature and the following authoritative organizations:
Last updated: December 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Certified Nurse Midwife and an obstetrician?
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is an advanced practice registered nurse with graduate training in midwifery, while an obstetrician (OB-GYN) is a physician with medical school and residency training in obstetrics and gynecology. CNMs specialize in low-risk pregnancies and normal childbirth with a focus on minimal intervention, while OB-GYNs manage both low and high-risk pregnancies and perform surgical procedures like cesarean sections. Many women choose CNMs for personalized care and natural birth, with physicians available for complications.
Can a CNM deliver babies in a hospital?
Yes, CNMs deliver babies in hospitals, birth centers, and homes. The majority of CNM-attended births in the U.S. occur in hospitals. CNMs with hospital privileges work collaboratively with physicians and have access to epidurals, monitoring equipment, and emergency interventions when needed. Birth setting options depend on your health, preferences, and local availability.
Are midwife-attended births safe?
Research consistently shows that for low-risk pregnancies, midwife-attended births are safe and associated with lower rates of interventions, cesarean sections, and episiotomies while maintaining good outcomes for mothers and babies. CNMs are trained to identify complications and have protocols for physician consultation and hospital transfer when necessary. Safety depends on appropriate risk screening and access to emergency care.
Can a CNM prescribe medications?
Yes, CNMs have prescriptive authority in all 50 states, though the degree of autonomy varies by state. They can prescribe prenatal vitamins, antibiotics, pain medications, contraceptives, and other medications within their scope of practice. Some states require collaborative agreements with physicians for prescribing.
What happens if complications arise during labor with a midwife?
CNMs are trained to recognize and manage many complications. For birth center or home births, they have established protocols for hospital transfer and relationships with backup physicians. In hospitals, they consult with on-call obstetricians for complications requiring medical or surgical intervention. The safety of midwifery care includes these collaborative relationships and transfer systems.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.
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