Midwife Program

Certified nurse-midwives in San Diego for one-on-one support

A pregnant woman talks to a midwife in a patient exam room, representing the one-on-one support you get from certified nurse midwives at Scripps.

Certified nurse-midwives in San Diego for one-on-one support

Some women choose to use a midwife to aid in their healthy pregnancy and childbirth. Midwives are known for their patience and empathy, and for providing one-on-one emotional and educational support during labor and delivery. A certified nurse-midwife is an advanced nurse practitioner. 


All certified nurse-midwives at Scripps are:


  • Registered nurses
  • Graduates of a master’s level nurse-midwifery program
  • Accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives
  • Have passed a rigorous national certification exam from the American Midwifery Certification Board
  • Have met strict requirements established by state health agencies

Midwives and your OB-GYN

A certified nurse-midwife does not replace your physician. Instead, she works in collaboration with our obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) and other specialists involved in your care. During labor and delivery midwives may deliver your baby instead of a physician. In the event of a medical emergency, there is always a Scripps obstetrician on-call.


Many women feel they get the best of both worlds by having an OB and midwife caring for them. At Scripps, women in labor can get the support and care of a midwife along with the resources of a hospital-based birth.


If you decide midwifery care is right for you, your certified nurse-midwife will partner with you throughout childbirth, including vaginal, cesarean and VBAC deliveries. In addition to assisting with delivery, your midwife will check in on you after you’ve given birth and share information and answer questions about postpartum care.

Frequently asked questions about midwives

While midwives are becoming more popular, many women have questions and wonder if a midwife birth is right for them. Here’s what to expect from the midwife program at Scripps.