Most Americans Don't Know Midwives Can Handle Your Menopause Care—Here's What They Actually Do

Most Americans have no idea that midwives can help manage their menopause symptoms, prescribe birth control, or perform annual gynecological exams. A new survey of 1,006 Americans by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that while 93% correctly know midwives deliver babies, only 23% realize they provide menopause care, and just 20% know they can perform routine women's health exams including pap smears and sexually transmitted infection testing.

What Services Can Midwives Actually Provide?

The knowledge gap is striking when you look at the full scope of midwifery care. Certified nurse-midwives are advanced practice registered nurses with specialized graduate education who provide comprehensive healthcare from a woman's first menstrual cycle through menopause and beyond. Yet most Americans are missing out on understanding these options just as the country faces a significant shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists in the next five years.

The survey revealed several surprising gaps in public awareness about midwifery services:

• Birth Control Management: Only 26% of Americans know midwives can manage medications including birth control prescriptions
• Annual Exams: Just 20% realize midwives perform comprehensive women's health exams including pap smears and STI testing
• Surgical Participation: Only 13% were aware that certified nurse-midwives can participate in cesarean sections as part of the surgical team
• Water Birth Assistance: Nearly 70% knew midwives could assist with water births, showing higher awareness for birth-related services

Why Don't More People Know About Comprehensive Midwifery Care?

Interestingly, the knowledge gap exists equally among men and women, with no significant differences by gender. This suggests the issue isn't about who's seeking care, but rather a broader misunderstanding of what midwives are trained to do.

"We take care of women across the lifespan," said Michaela Ward, a certified nurse-midwife at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. "We are highly trained and we're highly skilled. We can take care of you even if there is something more complex about you or your health."

How Do Midwives Work With Other Healthcare Providers?

Many local health systems have midwife programs where midwives work collaboratively with maternal fetal medicine and obstetrics and gynecology specialists who are available by phone to provide support for patients with complex pregnancies or health concerns. This collaborative model ensures patients receive appropriate care regardless of complexity while maintaining continuity with their midwife.

The team-based approach combines the personalized, patient-centered care midwives are known for with the specialized expertise of physicians when needed. As the anticipated obstetrician-gynecologist shortage looms, understanding the full capabilities of certified nurse-midwives becomes increasingly important for ensuring women have access to comprehensive healthcare throughout their lives. The shortage, projected by the Department of Health and Human Services, could leave many women without adequate access to reproductive and gynecological care.