Our Mission

The mission of the American College of Nurse-Midwives is to support midwives and advance the practice of midwifery in order to achieve optimal health for women through their lifespan, with expertise in well woman and gynecologic care, promoting optimal pregnancy, physiologic birth, postpartum care, and care of the newborn. ACNM supports the practice of midwives by promoting education, research, and advocacy that advances clinical excellence, expansion of a diverse midwifery workforce, and equitable legislation, regulation, and institutional policies that establish midwifery as the standard of care for women.

Our Core Values

Excellence
ACNM values excellence in midwifery education, clinical practice, and research. We are committed to upholding the highest clinical and ethical standards, professional responsibility, accountability, and integrity.

Evidence-Based Care
ACNM evaluates, publishes, and showcases scientific evidence to improve professional practice. We are committed to upholding the most rigorous clinical practice standards in the midwifery profession and applying this knowledge and clinical expertise to help women make the best health decisions. We strongly support the use of quality measurement to improve care.

Formal Education
ACNM promotes certification of midwives based on completion of nationally recognized, accredited midwifery education programs in accordance with the International Confederation of Midwives global standards for education. We support interprofessional education of midwives with other health professionals to improve maternity care and women’s health services.

Inclusiveness
ACNM promotes a culture of inclusion in which diverse identities are respected, sought, and embraced, and all can contribute to their full potentials and rise to leadership roles. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, culture, class, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, physical and intellectual ability, learning style, nationality, citizenship, age, mental health, professional background, midwifery certification, and degree.

Woman-Centered Care and Respect for Physiologic Processes
The woman is at the core of our practice. ACNM and its members respect each woman's right to dominion over her own health and care.  Within a relationship of respect, compassion, informed consent and shared decision-making, we approach life events, such as puberty, birth, and menopause, as physiologic transitions that are best supported by education and midwifery expertise. Promotion and preservation of normal birth are the foundation of that expertise.

Primary Care
ACNM members provide primary and maternity care services to help women of all ages and their newborns attain, regain, and maintain health. We emphasize health promotion and education, disease prevention, and informed decision-making.

Partnership
Our members build partnerships with women and their families by listening and providing information, guidance, and counseling in a shared decision-making process. We partner with other members of the health care team through collaboration and referral to provide optimal care and to advance the integration of midwifery care into the health care system.

Advocacy
ACNM amplifies women’s voices on health issues. We advocate on behalf of women and families, our members, and the midwifery profession to eliminate health disparities and increase access to evidence-based, quality care. This includes the promotion of standards for entry to practice and continuing competency; funding for education and reimbursement for services; and increasing the visibility and recognition of the value of midwifery care.

Global Outreach
ACNM promotes the profession of midwifery globally. We foster quality and innovation in midwifery education and support the strengthening of the profession worldwide through education, regulation, and association-building as keys to improving maternal and newborn health.