American College of Nurse-Midwives

American College of Nurse-Midwives ACNM represents Certified Nurse-Midwives & Certified Midwives in the US.

This week's Midwife of the Week is Lily Dalke, MS, CM, LM. A midwife of 14 years, Lily currently provides patient-center...
04/03/2026

This week's Midwife of the Week is Lily Dalke, MS, CM, LM. A midwife of 14 years, Lily currently provides patient-centered, trauma-informed reproductive and sexual health care at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York and perinatal care at Oula / Mount Sinai West. She previously served families at Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center and Brooklyn Birthing Center.

Since her student days, Lily has been an active leader within ACNM and New York Midwives (NYM), serving in numerous roles including NYM Treasurer, current President and as a member of the ACNM Core Competencies Committee.

A persistent advocate for inclusive midwifery care, Lily has championed access to midwifery services for transgender individuals. One of her proudest accomplishments is helping expand the midwifery scope of practice—both nationally and statewide—to include this essential care.
Her commitment and leadership have been recognized with multiple honors, including the Outstanding Student Leadership Award, Joan B. Ditchik Memorial Award, Excellence in Research Award, Marilyn Cottrell Award for Family Planning, and Koko Roy Award.

Lily shares a vision of midwifery rooted in autonomy, equity, and social justice. She acknowledges the ways racism, xenophobia, and patriarchal medical systems have shaped U.S. midwifery and believes meaningful change requires both inward reflection and outward advocacy. In a time of environmental, political, and social upheaval, she remains committed to mobilizing midwives and allies across New York State to strengthen the profession and advance reproductive justice.

Lily earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and her Master’s degree in Midwifery from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Before becoming a midwife, she worked as a doula, in immigration law, and advancing employment opportunities for women in the construction industry.
She lives with her family in Brooklyn.

Independent, Now What? Autonomous Practice in Healthcare Systems.” This engaging session will explore what autonomous pr...
04/03/2026

Independent, Now What? Autonomous Practice in Healthcare Systems.” This engaging session will explore what autonomous practice looks like in real-world healthcare settings, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges midwives face as they navigate independent roles within evolving systems of care.
ACNM's Health Policy Summit is designed for both new and experienced midwives, nurses, and maternal health stakeholders, the Summit provides a valuable forum to better understand the legislative and regulatory forces shaping maternal and infant health across the country. Attendees will gain insight into current and emerging policy trends, receive updates on the status of legislation impacting midwifery practice and patient access to care, and hear directly from experts working at the intersection of policy and clinical care.
Register today at https://healthpolicysummit.midwife.org

The recent lawsuit filed at the close of Georgia’s legislative session highlights a critical gap between evidence-based ...
04/02/2026

The recent lawsuit filed at the close of Georgia’s legislative session highlights a critical gap between evidence-based maternal care and current policy.
After the failure of HB520—which would have significantly decriminalized midwifery—this legal challenge brings attention to laws that continue to limit access to qualified providers. These include penalties for trained midwives practicing without a nursing license and restrictions that prevent Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) from working independently, often requiring costly physician oversight arrangements.
At a time when the U.S. faces a well-documented maternal health crisis, marked by rising mortality rates and widespread maternity care deserts; expanding access to midwifery care is not just a workforce issue, but a public health priority. Research consistently shows that midwives improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary interventions, and expand access to care, particularly for underserved communities.
Georgia’s situation underscores the urgency. With a shrinking number of birth centers and limited rural hospital services, many families are left with few or no options for maternity care.
Across the country, we’re seeing momentum build as similar restrictions are challenged and re-evaluated. Aligning policy with evidence and ensuring that qualified providers can practice to the full extent of their training will be essential to improving maternal health outcomes nationwide.

Meet the Speakers! Diana Jolles: Health Policy Briefing: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Med...
04/02/2026

Meet the Speakers! Diana Jolles: Health Policy Briefing: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Leveraging the Existent Health Policy Infrastructure to Sustain Midwifery and Account for Data Driven Change

The ACNM Health Policy Conference & Hill Day offers a unique opportunity for early, mid-career and retired midwives plus key stakeholders to engage deeply with the policies shaping maternal health care today.
Designed for clinicians, educators, and leaders, this experience goes beyond surface-level updates. Participants will explore current legislative priorities, strengthen their advocacy skill set, and translate clinical expertise into meaningful policy engagement on Capitol Hill.
Sessions are grounded in both evidence and lived experience addressing not only regulatory and reimbursement landscapes, but also leadership, sustainability, and the evolving role of midwives within interdisciplinary systems of care.
Equally valuable is the opportunity to connect with colleagues who understand the complexities balancing clinical demands, leadership responsibilities, and a commitment to advancing the profession.
🎟️ Join a community committed to informed advocacy and systems-level impact.
Register here 👉 https://healthpolicysummit.midwife.org
We look forward to engaging in this important work together.

1 CE Webinar | Advancing Clinical Excellence in Perimenopause & Menopause CareWe're pleased to highlight an upcoming con...
04/02/2026

1 CE Webinar | Advancing Clinical Excellence in Perimenopause & Menopause Care
We're pleased to highlight an upcoming continuing education opportunity with L. Amy Giles, DNP, CNM, CNE, FACNM, Nurse-Midwifery Program Director at Shenandoah University.

Dr. Giles brings expertise spanning community birth, menopause management, primary care of women, and innovative midwifery education. As the owner of a birth center and hospital-based midwifery practice providing wellness care and hormone replacement therapy, she bridges academic leadership with hands-on clinical experience. Her work emphasizes physiologic care models in community and rural underserved settings.

Course Overview (1 CE):
This evidence-based session provides a comprehensive review of perimenopause and menopause (P/MP) physiology, symptom management, and individualized treatment planning. Participants will examine both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, review current clinical guidelines, and explore the lasting impact of the Women’s Health Initiative on hormone therapy prescribing.

Participants will be able to:
Differentiate perimenopause from menopause at the physiologic and endocrine levels
Analyze updated treatment guidelines for P/MP symptoms
Develop risk-informed hormonal and non-hormonal treatment regimens
Create appropriate chronic disease screening strategies for midlife clients
As menopause care continues to evolve, it is essential that midwives and women’s health clinicians remain grounded in evidence while individualizing care.
Join us to strengthen your clinical approach to midlife health.

Special pricing for members and students. Register today! Recording available through April 1st 2028.

https://www.pathlms.com/acnm/courses/126462

As a midwife, you play a trusted role in guiding patients through important health choices—including vaccines. When disc...
04/02/2026

As a midwife, you play a trusted role in guiding patients through important health choices—including vaccines. When discussing flu and COVID-19 vaccination, you help patients make informed decisions that protect both them and their babies until their newborn can be vaccinated at 6 months. Together, you and your patients can make choices that support healthy outcomes. Explore tools to support these conversations at midwife.org/Immunization-Resources-for-Providers.

CDC scientists published an article in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society entitled “Evaluations and...
04/01/2026

CDC scientists published an article in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society entitled “Evaluations and Treatment among Infants Exposed to Syphilis in Utero, 6 U.S. States, 2018–2021.”

These CDC findings highlight inconsistent implementation of guidelines for evaluations and treatment of infants exposed to syphilis during pregnancy. These inconsistencies may result in infants missing out on care needed to prevent long-term health outcomes.

Among infants most likely to have congenital syphilis, 1 out of 3 infants were not treated with the recommended full course of treatment (10 days of penicillin G). And only half received the recommended cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses.

Among infants with possible congenital syphilis, 1 out of 4 infants received other non-recommended treatment or no treatment at all.

Only 30% of infants with a reactive blood test at birth received the recommended follow-up testing the first few months after birth.

Increased efforts to improve education, continued coordination between public health and clinical partners, and broader system level supports are necessary to ensure infants exposed to syphilis during pregnancy receive recommended care.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives has released its updated Position Statement on Planned Home Birth, now available ...
03/31/2026

The American College of Nurse-Midwives has released its updated Position Statement on Planned Home Birth, now available as a member resource.

At its core, this statement affirms that every individual has the right to give birth in an environment that upholds human dignity, self-determination, and respect for cultural context. Choice of birth setting is not incidental to quality care, it is part of it. ACNM underscores that shared decision-making about place of birth is fundamental to ethical, person-centered maternity care.

The statement makes clear that planned home birth should be an accessible option for those who choose it. For appropriately selected individuals attended by qualified midwives, research demonstrates that home birth can support normal, physiologic birth and is associated with lower rates of obstetric and neonatal intervention. Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) are educated and prepared to provide comprehensive antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care in the home setting.

Importantly, safety is optimized within integrated systems of care. Respectful collaboration, clear communication pathways, and seamless transfer processes between home and hospital settings strengthen outcomes and reinforce continuity.
ACNM also calls on states, payers, and insurers to align policy with evidence and professional standards. Laws and regulations should support childbirth across home, birth center, and hospital settings. Reimbursement from third-party payers and access to professional liability coverage must reflect the legitimacy and value of licensed midwifery care.

For clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers, this updated Position Statement provides research-informed, advocacy-ready language to advance autonomy, system integration, and equitable access to midwifery services.
Available now in the ACNM member library.

Continuing our theme of resharing some of our updated resources that came out over the last few months: The Pearls of Mi...
03/31/2026

Continuing our theme of resharing some of our updated resources that came out over the last few months:
The Pearls of Midwifery: The Midwifery Model of Care – Evidence for Physiologic Birth has been updated and is now available to ACNM members!

This essential tool highlights key evidence-based practices that support physiologic birth and reflects the core values of midwifery-led care.

📚 Log in to your member account to explore the updated content!

Don't miss YOUR moment. Application for Fellowship in ACNM close April 1, 2026. Details and more can be found under the ...
03/31/2026

Don't miss YOUR moment. Application for Fellowship in ACNM close April 1, 2026. Details and more can be found under the Membership tab at our website, midwife.org.

ACNM affirms a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and incivility in midwifery.These behaviors undermine safety, learn...
03/31/2026

ACNM affirms a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and incivility in midwifery.

These behaviors undermine safety, learning, and the well-being of midwives, students, and patients.

We call on all midwives to stand against mistreatment and build a professional culture grounded in respect, dignity, and advocacy.

🔗 Read the full position statement:https://midwife.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-ps_bullying_incivility_midwifery.pdf

03/31/2026

Now Available: Updated Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is proud to announce the release of the updated Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice: a foundational document that defines the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors expected of midwives entering practice.
This comprehensive update reflects current evidence, evolving practice standards, and the dynamic needs of the individuals and communities midwives serve.

This work represents over a year of thoughtful collaboration, and we extend our sincere gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who contributed their expertise to this effort.

Special recognition goes to the Subcommittee Co-Chairs and to Board Liaison Mari-Carmen Farmer, CNM, WHNP, for their leadership and commitment throughout the revision process.

Access the full document here: https://midwife.org/standard-setting-documents/

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