rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymidwifeChildbirth care
noun / verb

midwife

MID-wyfe/ˈmɪdwaɪf/

A trained attendant who helps deliver a baby.

The midwife checks the baby's heartbeat with a handheld monitor during the home visit.

A midwife checks a pregnant adult's fetal heartbeat with a handheld Doppler during a modest home maternity-care visit, with a compact clinical bag and prepared newborn supplies reinforcing the birth-attendant role.
Etymology
midMiddle Englishwith
+wifeMiddle Englishwoman

Here mid means “with,” and wife preserves the older meaning “woman.” The compound names the woman who is with the mother at birth, emphasizing the attendant’s supporting role.

In context

Naked Science94:13
the contractions are only minutes apart now and after each one the midwife encourages the mother to push down hard to help squeeze the baby out
Life Before Birth - In the Womb

More examples

  • Our midwife checks the baby's heartbeat at every prenatal visit.
  • Two midwives assist with the delivery at the birth center.
  • Local organizers midwifed the creation of a new community clinic.

Forms

midwife · midwives · midwifed · midwived · midwifing · midwiving

midwifery noun — The professional practice of assisting childbirth.

Similar words

obstetrician
A physician who manages pregnancy and delivery, including surgery.