INTERNATIONAL DEFINITION OF A MIDWIFE

“A MIDWIFE IS A PERSON WHO, HAVING BEEN REGULARLY ADMITTED TO A MIDWIFERY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, DULY RECOGNIZED IN THE COUNTRY IN WHICH IT IS LOCATED, HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PRESCRIBED COURSE OF STUDIES IN MIDWIFERY AND HAS ACQUIRED THE REQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE REGISTERED AND/OR LEGALLY LICENSED TO PRACTICE MIDWIFERY

She must be able to give the necessary supervision, care and advice to women during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries on her own
responsibility and to care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventive measures, the detection of abnormal conditions in mother and child, the procurement of medical assistance and the execution of emergency measures in the absence of medical help. She has an important task in health counseling and education, not only for the women but also within the family and the community. The work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and extends to certain areas of gynecology, family planning and child care. She may practice in hospitals, clinics, health units, domiciliary conditions or in any other service.

The above definition was adopted by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 1973, the International Confederation of Midwives Council in 1979, by the World Health Organization, and amended by the International Confederation of Midwives Council in Kobe, Japan, October 1990. The amendments were ratified by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 1991, and the World Health Organization in 1992.

This multi-national definition of a midwife was jointly developed by the International Confederation of Midwives and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.