Nurse Midwives

Monitor fetal development by listening to fetal heartbeat, taking external uterine measurements, identifying fetal position, or estimating fetal size and weight.

Initiate emergency interventions to stabilize patients.

Provide prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, or newborn care to patients.

Explain procedures to patients, family members, staff members or others.

Develop and implement individualized plans for health care management.

Order and interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests.

Document findings of physical examinations.

Educate patients and family members regarding prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, or interconception care.

Document patients' health histories, symptoms, physical conditions, or other diagnostic information.

Write information in medical records or provide narrative summaries to communicate patient information to other health care providers.

Provide primary health care, including pregnancy and childbirth, to women.

Consult with or refer patients to appropriate specialists when conditions exceed the scope of practice or expertise.

Perform physical examinations by taking vital signs, checking neurological reflexes, examining breasts, or performing pelvic examinations.

Prescribe medications as permitted by state regulations.

Provide patients with direct family planning services, such as inserting intrauterine devices, dispensing oral contraceptives, and fitting cervical barriers, including cervical caps or diaphragms.

Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in midwifery.

Establish practice guidelines for specialty areas such as primary health care of women, care of the childbearing family, and newborn care.

Conduct clinical research on topics such as maternal or infant health care, contraceptive methods, breastfeeding, and gynecological care.

Manage newborn care during the first weeks of life.

Plan, provide, or evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, health care teams, or the community.