American College of Nurse-Midwives -- Become a MidwifeThe practice of nurse-midwifery was established in the United States in the 1920s. Nurse-midwives are recognized for reducing infant and maternal mortality, premature births, and low birth-weight rates. They are primary care providers and 70% of women who receive care from nurse-midwives are considered vulnerable to poor health outcomes by virtue of age, socioeconomic status, education, ethnicity or location of residence.