Midwifery Degree
History of the Midwifery Degree
Although it is an ancient art, it wasn’t until 1932 that the first certified school emerged to provide women with a midwifery degree. Since its early beginning, this profession has evolved to become an increasingly popular option for women who wish to experience the most natural means of giving birth.
Midwives have been around for centuries, providing care to women during pregnancy, labor and throughout delivery. There is even mention of midwives in the Bible; tending to women during birth. Throughout history, the service of midwifery has been documented in various cultures as one of sage advice, counsel and support. Even in the earliest of days, these women were regarded with respect. To become a midwife, it was necessary to first become an apprentice of a skilled midwife and learn the trade from the ground floor. There was much to learn. It was necessary to know about reproductive cycles, about conception, the different stages of pregnancy, breathing techniques, labor and finally, the miracle of birth itself. There was also the matter of pharmaceuticals; early day midwives used a variety of herbs, potions and elixirs to assist women with the hardships of pregnancy and learning the proper treatments and combinations of herbs was a full time job in itself. At that time in history, there existed no formal training opportunities for midwifery; it was a skill traded down through families or taught to young female apprentices.
Over the centuries, the practice of midwifery itself did not change much; however, the knack of learning the trade did. The 19th century in the United States saw a huge insurgence in medical training, with doctors being formally trained and taught scientific methods of healing and detecting diseases. This training did not extend to midwives, who continued to operate on the same level as their ancestors had done. Such educated physicians began to scoff at and downgrade the “primeval” methods utilized by midwives, promoting instead their more modern methods of birth. A rift was driven between classes; well to do women were seen by educated physicians while lower class women were still attended to by midwives. This prejudice continued until, through the efforts of Mary Breckinridge in the early 1920’s, the Frontier Nursing Service was established that formalized studies of midwifery.
Today, obtaining a midwifery degree is open to virtually any woman who wishes to pursue the career. Several levels of the craft are available, from direct entry midwives to certified nurse-midwives. Different levels of training determine the final title. Direct entry midwives might not have a formal certification or degree, but have studiously trained as apprentices and in formal training. Not all states allow or recognize direct entry midwives. Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are women who have at least a bachelor’s degree, have had formal midwifery and nursing training, have taken and passed licensing examinations to become licensed and are able to work with medical professionals. In between these two, there are also classifications of certified midwife (CMs) and certified professional midwife (CPMs).
The craft of midwifery is still one that is highly respected among medical professionals and laypeople alike. Since natural childbirth is advocated by midwives, many women embrace the possibility of having their babies in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own homes. The fact that using the services of a midwife is often less expensive with lessened risks may also impact a woman’s decision to engage a midwife during their pregnancy.
The large percentage of women who desire the natural methods of childbirth are likely stimulating the increase of other women that pursue a midwifery degree; carrying on a tradition that has been in existence possibly since man began.