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What is the difference between a Midwife and a Labor and Delivery Nurse?

Hi!!

I need help finding out what the main difference between these two careers are so I can better decide what to pursue if not Obstetrics.

Thank you!

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Abhishek’s Answer

Midwife are the nurses who provide care to the the mother in pre pregnancy phase, pregnancy phase and postpartum. They are also responsible for some critical decision which are made during the pregnancy phase like pain management, nutrition management, etc
While a L&D nurse your client base will be broader like moms, women who have undergone the fertility treatment and newborn children's care also comes under the L&D nurse's responsibility.
The main difference is that the midwife may work independently while the work of the L&d nurses has to be done under the supervision of an Obstetrician Or gynaecology physician.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for your help in answering my question! Nelly
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Lorraine’s Answer

Hi Nelly,
Great question! While midwives and labor and delivery nurses both play a vital role in the care of pregnant women and their babies, there are some key differences between the two.
The role of a midwife is to help women through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Whether they are working in hospitals, birth centers, or in communities, midwives provide a range of services, including prenatal care, labor support, delivery, and postpartum care.Labor and delivery nurses, however, specialize in caring for women during labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period.
A labor and delivery nurse monitors the mother and baby's health. She provides emotional support, administers medications, and assists with birth in hospitals and birthing centers.
Although midwives and labor and delivery nurses are both important members of the maternity care team, midwives provide more comprehensive care throughout the entire pregnancy and postpartum period, whereas labor and delivery nurses primarily provide care during the delivery process.
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Marie’s Answer

L&D nurses and nurse midwives are RNs, but a nurse midwife has more advanced training and certification. Nurse midwives may also work with patients throughout pregnancy—not just labor and delivery. A nurse midwife is a nurse who usually has a master's degree or higher. Because of having there own license and prescribe medication. Most states allow them to practice to the full extent of the education and training Nurse-midwives work within a state-specific scope of practice that spells out what services they can legally provide.

Labor and delivery nurses work in the hospital. They are trained to deal with the pregnant patients, antenatal, perinatal and postnatal. Which means before, during, and after delivery. Once delivered the patients goes to a postpartum unit.
Hope the helps.
Best of luck. ME
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for this! Nelly
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