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. 

What is a midwife?

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are licensed health care practitioners educated in nursing and midwifery and are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. A midwife specializes in childbirth.

What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?

Midwives and doulas offer similar services but are quite different in their roles. Midwives are licensed health care practitioners and can assist with prenatal care through labor and delivery. Doulas are not medically certified and focus more on the mother’s needs throughout her pregnancy and into postpartum care.

Can I have anesthesia or epidural with a midwife?

Yes. Certified nurse-midwives support you during labor, regardless of your decision to use anesthesia. Scripps midwives support epidurals, local anesthesia and natural childbirth. Whether you choose anesthesia or natural birth, the certified nurse-midwives’ mission remains the same: Caring for and empowering women and their families.

Do midwives help with VBACs?

Yes. Scripps midwives collaborate with physicians to assist women with VBAC deliveries. VBAC is short for “vaginal birth after cesarean,” which is when a woman delivers a baby vaginally after a previous C-section. Not all women can have a VBAC delivery, so it’s important to discuss this with your obstetrician.

Are Scripps midwives available at all Scripps locations?

Not yet. Midwife services are available to Scripps Clinic patients who deliver at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, and to Scripps Coastal Medical Center patients who deliver at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. (These birthing locations are also referred to as birthing centers.)