Midwife

Midwives are health professionals which providers offer care to childbearing women during their pregnancy, labour and birth, and during the postpartum period. The role of a midwife is varied, and each day is usually different depending if whether you are conducting prenatal, antenatal or postnatal appointments, or attending a birth.

Midwives operate in many settings, including hospital maternity units, birth centres, obstetrician's consulting rooms, midwifery group practices, community health centres and in private homes. Where you see a midwife will depend on where and how you choose to give birth.

Midwives will provide most of your antenatal care if you're planning to give birth in a public maternity unit. You might also see a midwife during your appointments with a private obstetrician. For a planned home birth, you'll probably see the same midwife (or a small team) throughout your pregnancy.

Your Midwife will usually:

• Check your baby's health, growth and position
• Advise on or help with hospital bookings
• Conduct routine tests and checks
• Give you support and advice
• Help you prepare for labour and birth

Prior to becoming a Midwife you will need to have all the practical experience and qualifications of a Registered Nurse (RN) with at least three years practical full time experience. Registered Nurses work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other skilled professionals including doctors, surgeons, specialists, therapists, specialty nurses, social workers and many others to provide ongoing patient care to people who are sick, disabled, injured or recovering from surgery.  Registered nurses deliver primary health care predominantly in hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, aged care facilities, Government or military institutions, community or school settings, in the home or in outpatient facilities. 

Read about all other Specialty Nursing Roles here