A midwife is an expert for low-risk pregnancies who assists women giving birth naturally and safely.  She is trained to give the necessary care during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period.

The midwife has an important task in health education within the family and the community.  She attends normal deliveries and cares for the newly born infant. A midwife advises, educates, and supports birthing women.

In South Carolina, a midwife is defined by our Department of Health and Enviromental Control Regulations as a person who is licensed by the state of South Carolina to provide midwifery services.  South Carolina defines those midwifery services as provided by a person who is not a medical or a nursing professional licensed by an agency of the State of South Carolina, for the purpose of giving primary assistance in the birth process either free, for trade, or for money, provided, however, that this shall not preclude any medical or nursing professional from being licnesed in accordance with this regulation.