Midwife Means With Woman
A midwife supports women through pregnancy and birth. The word says exactly that: mid meant with, and wife meant woman.
A midwife is a trained professional who cares for women during pregnancy, birth and afterwards. The name is Old English and perfectly literal: *mid* meant with, as in German *mit*, and *wif* meant woman. A midwife is the one who is with the woman. That is also why men can be midwives without any contradiction in the word.
- A professional who assists at births. *A community midwife.*
- Someone who helps bring something about. *Midwife to a new movement.*
- To assist at a birth. *She midwifed hundreds of babies.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | midwife | The duty midwife. |
| Plural | midwives | Two midwives. |
| Noun | midwifery | A degree in midwifery. |
| Related | obstetrician | An obstetrician was called. |
| Related | doula | A birth doula. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The midwife checked the baby's heartbeat.Routine antenatal care.
- Midwifery is a registered profession.With its own training and licensing.
- He was midwife to the whole reform.Figurative: helped bring it into being.
Who does what at a birth
- Midwife — leads care in straightforward pregnancies and births
- Obstetrician — a doctor specialising in pregnancy and delivery
- Doula — provides practical and emotional support, not clinical care
- Health visitor — supports the family after the birth, in Britain
- Neonatologist — a doctor for newborns needing intensive care
From Middle English *midwif*, from Old English *mid*, with, and *wif*, woman. The modern narrowing of *wife* to a married woman came later, which is why the word looks misleading today.
Can a man be a midwife?
Yes, and the word does not contradict it. Mid meant with and wife meant woman, so a male midwife is the man who is with the woman.
Midwife or obstetrician?
Midwives lead care in normal pregnancies; obstetricians are doctors who handle complications and surgery.