Midwife

Midwives provide care and support to women and their families while pregnant, throughout labour and during the period after a baby’s birth.

Working life

You’ll mainly deal with pregnant women requiring professional support and advice. You are likely to be the lead health professional and contact for a woman, providing evidence-based information and helping her make informed choices about the options and services available throughout her pregnancy.

You’ll be the expert on childbirth and your responsibilities are likely to be diverse. You’ll provide:

• provide full antenatal care, including parenting classes, clinical examinations and screening
• identify high-risk pregnancies
• monitor women and support them during labour and the birthing process
• teach new and expectant mothers how to feed, care for and bathe their babies

How to become a midwife

To become a midwife you’ll need to train and study for an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree or diploma, or secure a place on a midwifery degree apprenticeship. Entry requirements vary depending on where you’d like to study or work.