Midwives have been assisting with childbirth for as long as humans have existed, referred to by various names across cultures such as wise women, sage-femme, and weise frau. A midwife is defined as someone who has completed midwifery education and training in their country to be licensed to provide supervision, care, and advice to women during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. In addition to conducting deliveries and caring for newborns, midwives provide counseling, education, and community outreach on topics like family planning, immunizations, and women's health. They work to promote safe childbirth and refer women to higher levels of medical care when complications arise.

1. Midwives have been part of the human experience for as long as we know.
The ancient Jews called them wise women the same way as they are know in
France as sage – femme and in Germany as weise frau or hebamme
(mother’s adviser , helper or friend).
Definition
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 qualification to be registered and / or legally
licensed to practice midwifery.
ROLE OF MIDWIFE
1) A midwife must be able to give the necessary supervision, care
and advice to women during pregnancy , labour and postpartum
period.
2) They should be able also to conduct deliveries on her own
responsibility and to acre for the newborn and the infant. This
care includes preventive measures , detection of abnormal
condition in the mother and child, procurement of medical
assistance and execution of emergency measures in the absence
of medical help.
3) She performs an important task of counseling and education not
only for the women but also within the family and community.
4) The work should involve antenatal education preparation for
parenthood and extends to certain areas of gynecology, family
planning and child care.
5) She may practice in hospitals , clinic, health units , domiciliary
conditions or any other service.
6) Treat complications due to miscarriages and/or unsafe abortions
7) Recognizing and addressing problems in the women and
newborn before, during and after childbirth.
8) Offering general health information, including reproductive
health care and planning.

2. 9)Assisting women to successfully breast feed.
10)Referring women and new born for higher level of care when
complications arise beyond their scope of practice and capabilities.The
principal objective of the midwifery profession is.
11)Each midwife should uphold the dignity and honors of the profession
and accept its self-imposed disciplines. Midwives provides quality and
culturally acceptable care to help keep women and newborns safe.
12)In countries with strong midwifery services , midwives play an
important preventative role by offering immunizations, health education ,
family planning information and promotion on many aspects of healthy
lifestyles.
13)Midwives can also foster a dialogue with female community leaders
about the needs of pregnant women and ways of mobilizing support for
them.
14)professional midwives can build on the relationship that communities
often have with traditional birth attendants(TBAs). Although TBAs do not
have the training to deal with life – threatening problems, their cooperation
can be very helpful in convincing families of the benefits of professional
care, early referral or institutional delivery when complications arise or seen
likely.