A midwife is a healthcare professional who helps women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the weeks after a baby is born. The word literally means “with woman,” showing how midwives stay alongside mothers through one of life's most important experiences.

For thousands of years, midwives were the primary caregivers for pregnant women and helped deliver babies. Even today, midwives attend millions of births worldwide. They check on the mother's and baby's health throughout pregnancy, support the mother during labor, help deliver the baby, and teach new parents how to care for their infant.

Midwives are trained professionals, though their exact training and role vary by country. In some places, midwives work independently; in others, they work closely with doctors, especially if complications arise that need a physician's specialized care. Many families choose midwives because they value their focus on treating pregnancy and birth as natural, healthy processes rather than medical emergencies.

Today, midwifery combines a long tradition of experience with modern medical knowledge, giving mothers expert care during pregnancy and birth.