midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwi-f(ə-)rē  -ˈwī- 

ˈmid-ˌwī-

1

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics

2

: the art, act, or process of producing, bringing forth, or bringing about

Examples of midwifery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Making midwifery care more accessible can help alleviate the need for OB-GYN care providers while allowing expectant families access to holistic, perinatal care. —Davi Merchan, ABC News, 11 July 2024

According to research cited multiple times throughout the event, midwifery could prevent more than 80 percent of maternal deaths. —Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024

According to the World Health Organization, including midwifery in family planning could help avert more than 80% of all maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths. —Davi Merchan, ABC News, 11 July 2024

Consuming castor oil to induce labor in pregnant people is a technique that's historically been linked to the practice of midwifery (midwives).12 Castor oil is also medically approved for its use as a laxative. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 3 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwif-(ə-)rē  -ˈwīf- 

ˈmid-ˌwīf-

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics

Medical Definition

midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwif-(ə-)rē  -ˈwīf-; ˈmid-ˌwīf- 

plural midwiferies

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics see nurse-midwifery