Frequently Asked Questions
What are Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)?
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are credentialed by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) to provide out-of-hospital maternity care for healthy women experiencing normal pregnancies. The CPM credential, issued by NARM, is nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which is the accrediting arm of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). The NCCA accredits more than 200 professional credentials such as nurse-midwives, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and critical care nurses.
NARM certification for CPMs includes:
CPMs follow the practice standards of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), which include the development of collaborative relationships with other healthcare practitioners who can provide care outside the scope of midwifery practice when necessary. The NACPM standards limit the CPM scope of practice to the primary maternity care of healthy women experiencing normal pregnancies.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) recognizes the CPM training and clinical skills assessment process as the basis of a national certification program for licensing midwives who provide out-of-hospital maternity care services.
NARM certification for CPMs includes:
- A rigorous educational and training process generally requiring a minimum of three to five years to complete
- Verification of knowledge and skills through the successful completion a national board exam
- A clinical skills assessment process
- Continuing education and re-certification every three years
- Clinical experience in out-of-hospital settings
CPMs follow the practice standards of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), which include the development of collaborative relationships with other healthcare practitioners who can provide care outside the scope of midwifery practice when necessary. The NACPM standards limit the CPM scope of practice to the primary maternity care of healthy women experiencing normal pregnancies.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) recognizes the CPM training and clinical skills assessment process as the basis of a national certification program for licensing midwives who provide out-of-hospital maternity care services.
What is the Midwives Model of Care?
The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. The Midwives Model of Care:
The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
Copyright © 1996-2008, Midwifery Task Force, All Rights Reserved. For more information, visit Citizens for Midwifery.
- Monitors the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
- Provides the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
- Minimizes technological interventions
- Identifies and refers women who require obstetrical attention
The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.
Copyright © 1996-2008, Midwifery Task Force, All Rights Reserved. For more information, visit Citizens for Midwifery.
