6,757
Certified Nurse Midwives
100%
Accepting patients
35%
Most common: CNM
FindClarity lists 6,757 certified nurse midwives nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is CNM (35%). 10% accept Medicare.
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and gynecological health throughout the lifespan. CNMs hold a master's or doctoral degree in nurse-midwifery on top of their RN license and are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. They are licensed to practice in all 50 states.
Midwives manage low-risk pregnancies, deliver babies in hospitals, birth centers, and (in some states) homes, and provide well-woman care including annual exams, contraception, and menopause management. They can prescribe medications, order labs and imaging, and perform certain procedures. When complications arise during pregnancy or birth, midwives collaborate with or transfer care to an obstetrician.
Midwifery care emphasizes physiologic birth (minimizing unnecessary medical interventions), shared decision-making, and continuity of care. Research consistently shows that midwife-led care for low-risk pregnancies results in lower rates of cesarean section, fewer interventions, and high patient satisfaction while maintaining the same safety outcomes as physician-led care.
See a midwife for pregnancy care if you have a low-risk pregnancy and want a provider who emphasizes natural birth, patient education, and longer appointments. Midwives also provide well-woman care throughout your life: annual exams, Pap smears, breast exams, contraception counseling, fertility support, and menopause management. You might choose a midwife if you want a home birth or birth center birth, want to minimize medical interventions during labor, or simply prefer the midwifery model of care. If your pregnancy becomes high-risk, your midwife will collaborate with an OB/GYN.
Prenatal visits with a midwife are longer than typical OB visits, usually 30 to 60 minutes. The midwife will monitor your pregnancy, check blood pressure, measure your belly, listen to the baby's heartbeat, and spend time discussing nutrition, exercise, birth preferences, and any concerns. During labor, the midwife provides continuous support, encourages movement and positioning, and manages pain with non-pharmacological methods (water immersion, breathing techniques) or orders an epidural if requested. Postpartum visits typically include a check at one to two weeks and again at six weeks, with support for breastfeeding and recovery.
Prenatal visit copay: $20-50 · Hospital birth (midwife fee): $2,000-5,000 · Birth center birth: $2,000-6,000 · Home birth: $3,000-8,000 (may be out of pocket) · Well-woman visit: $0-50 copay
Yes. Research shows that midwife-led care for low-risk pregnancies is as safe as physician-led care, with lower rates of cesarean section, episiotomy, and other interventions. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports collaborative practice between midwives and physicians. Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are trained to recognize complications and transfer care to a physician when needed.
Yes. Most certified nurse-midwives deliver babies in hospitals. Some also attend births at freestanding birth centers or at home. Hospital-based midwives have immediate access to the same emergency resources (anesthesia, operating room, NICU) as any hospital birth. Your birth setting options depend on your midwife's practice and your state's regulations.
Yes. All insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, are required to cover certified nurse-midwife (CNM) services. The ACA specifically includes CNM services as covered maternity care. Birth center births attended by CNMs are covered, though some plans may not cover home births. Verify birth center or home birth coverage with your specific plan.
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All insurance plans are legally required to cover certified nurse-midwife (CNM) services. Medicaid covers CNM care in all states and is the payer for about 50% of births nationally. Hospital births with a CNM are covered at the same level as physician births. Birth center births are covered by most plans. Home birth coverage varies by insurer and state. Verify your plan covers the specific birth setting you prefer. Midwife-attended births tend to cost less than physician-attended births due to fewer interventions.