About the American College of Nurse-Midwives

With roots dating to 1929, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the oldest women's health care organization in the U.S. ACNM provides research, accredits midwifery education programs, administers and promotes continuing education programs, establishes clinical practice standards, creates liaisons with state and federal agencies and members of Congress. The mission of ACNM is to promote the health and well-being of women and infants within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives, and certified midwives. The philosophy inherent in the profession states that nurse-midwives believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations.

ACNM Philosophy

Certified nurse-midwives believe that every individual has a right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations. ACNM further supports each person's right to self-determination, to complete information and to active participation in all aspects of care. ACNM members believe the normal process of pregnancy and birth can be enhanced through education, health care and supportive intervention.

Nurse-midwifery is focused on the needs of the individual and family for physical care, emotional and social support and active involvement of significant others according to cultural values and personal preferences. The practice of nurse-midwifery encourages continuity of care; emphasizes safe, competent clinical management; advocates non-intervention in normal processes; and promotes health education for women throughout the childbearing cycle. This practice may extend to include gynecological care of women throughout the life cycle. Such comprehensive health care is most effectively and efficiently provided by nurse-midwives in collaboration with other members of an interdependent health care team.

ACNM assumes a leadership role in the development and promotion of high quality health care for women and infants both nationally and internationally. The profession of nurse-midwifery is committed to ensuring that certified nusre-midwives are provided with sound educational preparation, to expanding knowledge through research and to evaluating and revising care through quality assurance. The profession further ensures that its members adhere to the Standards of Practice for Nurse-Midwifery in accordance with the ACNM philosophy.

For information on the ACNM, midwifery, women's health and more,
visit the ACNM website at www.midwife.org.

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© 1999-2003 American College of Nurse-Midwives