Midwives in the United States

Midwives in the United States assist childbearing women during pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period. Some midwives also provide primary care for women including well-woman exams, health promotion, and disease prevention, family planning options, and care for common gynecological concerns. Before the turn of the 20th century, traditional midwives were informally trained and helped deliver almost all births. Today, midwives are professionals who must undergo formal training. Midwives in the United States formed the Midwifery Education, Regulation, and Association (US-MERA) task force to establish a framework for midwifery. History Childbirth in the United States has traditionally been attended by midwives. Early lay midwifery (colonial era–19th century) In colonial America, childbirth was largely managed by women, with midwives serving as the main caregivers across all communities. Enslaved African women, Indigenous healers, and immigrant women brought diverse practices to midwifery. During the 17th century, the English colonies strictly had women midwives attend childbirths. Town records indicate some well-known midwives including Bridget Fuller (d. 1664) who prac