Description
Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.
- • Educate patients and family members regarding prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, or interconception care.
- • Provide prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, or newborn care to patients.
- • Document patients' health histories, symptoms, physical conditions, or other diagnostic information.
- • Monitor fetal development by listening to fetal heartbeat, taking external uterine measurements, identifying fetal position, or estimating fetal size and weight.
- • Perform physical examinations by taking vital signs, checking neurological reflexes, examining breasts, or performing pelvic examinations.
- • Consult with or refer patients to appropriate specialists when conditions exceed the scope of practice or expertise.
- • Develop and implement individualized plans for health care management.
- • Document findings of physical examinations.
- • Explain procedures to patients, family members, staff members or others.
- • Initiate emergency interventions to stabilize patients.
- • Manage newborn care during the first weeks of life.
- • Provide primary health care, including pregnancy and childbirth, to women.
- • Order and interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests.
- • 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.
- • Write information in medical records or provide narrative summaries to communicate patient information to other health care providers.
- • Conduct clinical research on topics such as maternal or infant health care, contraceptive methods, breastfeeding, and gynecological care.
- • Establish practice guidelines for specialty areas such as primary health care of women, care of the childbearing family, and newborn care.
- • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in midwifery.
- • Plan, provide, or evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, health care teams, or the community.
- • Instruct student nurse midwives, medical students, or residents on the birthing process.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
