Education, Support, and Advocacy for Birth and Wellness Choices Across Hawai'i |
Midwifery in Hawaiʻi
Lay of the land for midwifery care, licensing, and state organizations in Hawaiʻi
The Midwifery Model of Care
Midwifery Care is:
- A women-centered approach which perceives Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum as an optimal state of Wellness with unique physical, spiritual, emotional, nutritional and medical needs.
- A blend between art and science acknowledging the inter-connectedness & complexity of each women's experience and needs during each stage of life from Menarche to Menopause and through all stages of her childbearing year.
Image based on the work of Carol Gautchi, who is a Traditionally trained and licensed Midwife on the Washington Peninsula
who developed and presented the framework for Classical Midwifery Care in the image above.
Types of Modern Midwifery Providers in Hawai'iBirth Attendant - A Midwifery Practitioner who's education and training does not qualify them for Hawai'i licensure
*designated in 2019
Certified Nurse-Midwife - CNM
Certified Professional Midwife - CPM
Direct Entry Midwife - DEM
Hilot or Lola - Traditional Filipina Midwife
Licensed Midwife - LM
Pale Keiki - Traditional Native Hawaiian Midwife
Samba San - Traditional Japanese Midwife
Traditional Midwife
*If you are a practicing Midwife in Hawai'i and do not see your title listed here please email us at
Pacificbirthcollective@gmail.com
Other Professionals who serve childbearing women:
Doula: a Non-medical support person during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
Montrice: Offers support as a Doula but is also able to perform basic medical care under a primary midwife or doctor
Naturopathic Doctor - NP
Registered Nurse - RN
Controversial Midwifery legislated was passed in the State of Hawaii in May of 2019. HRS 457-J is now in affect allowing Certified Professional Midwives to apply for state licensure with an exemption for Birth Attendants expiring July 2023.