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.
<ul><li>Provide prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, or newborn care to patients.</li><li>Monitor fetal development by listening to fetal heartbeat, taking external uterine measurements, identifying fetal position, or estimating fetal size and weight.</li><li>Explain procedures to patients, family members, staff members or others.</li><li>Initiate emergency interventions to stabilize patients.</li><li>Develop and implement individualized plans for health care management.</li><li>Educate patients and family members regarding prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, or interconception care.</li><li>Document patients' health histories, symptoms, physical conditions, or other diagnostic information.</li><li>Document findings of physical examinations.</li><li>Order and interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests.</li><li>Write information in medical records or provide narrative summaries to communicate patient information to other health care providers.</li><li>Consult with or refer patients to appropriate specialists when conditions exceed the scope of practice or expertise.</li><li>Provide primary health care, including pregnancy and childbirth, to women.</li><li>Perform physical examinations by taking vital signs, checking neurological reflexes, examining breasts, or performing pelvic examinations.</li><li>Prescribe medications as permitted by state regulations.</li><li>Provide patients with direct family planning services, such as inserting intrauterine devices, dispensing oral contraceptives, and fitting cervical barriers, including cervical caps or diaphragms.</li><li>Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in midwifery.</li><li>Establish practice guidelines for specialty areas such as primary health care of women, care of the childbearing family, and newborn care.</li><li>Conduct clinical research on topics such as maternal or infant health care, contraceptive methods, breastfeeding, and gynecological care.</li><li>Plan, provide, or evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, health care teams, or the community.</li></ul>