The CNM medical abbreviation stands for certified nurse midwife, a registered nurse with graduate training in midwifery who cares for people through pregnancy, birth and beyond. When you see CNM after a name on a prenatal visit summary or a birth record, it tells you that a nurse midwife was your clinician.
CNMs are one kind of APRN, or advanced practice registered nurse, along with nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and nurse anesthetists. Below you will find what the title requires, what a nurse midwife usually does, and how CNM compares with other midwife and doctor titles.
At a glance
Stands for
Certified nurse midwifeUsed in
Prenatal clinics, labor and delivery units, birth centers, home birthsWhere you see it
After a clinician's name on notes, orders and birth recordsWritten as
CNM, sometimes listed with RN and a degree such as MSN or DNPDo not confuse with
CM (certified midwife) and CPM (certified professional midwife)Specialty
Midwifery, women's and reproductive health
What the CNM medical abbreviation tells you
CNM is a professional credential. To earn it, a person first becomes a registered nurse, then completes a graduate midwifery program, usually at the master's level as an MSN or at the doctoral level as a DNP. After that comes a national certification exam in midwifery and a state license to practice.
Because of that path, a CNM combines nursing training with midwifery skills. In every state, nurse midwives can provide care on their own license, and in most states they can also prescribe medicines. Exact rules about supervision and prescribing differ by state.
What a certified nurse midwife does day to day
Many people link midwives only with birth, but the scope is wider. A CNM may provide:
- Prenatal visits, screening tests and counseling during pregnancy
- Care during labor and vaginal birth, in a hospital, birth center or home
- Care after birth for the parent and the newborn in the first weeks
- Annual gynecologic exams, Pap tests and breast exams
- Family planning and contraception counseling
- Care around menopause
When a pregnancy becomes high risk or a cesarean birth is needed, nurse midwives work with obstetricians, who are physicians trained in surgery. Many hospital teams share care between the two.
Reading CNM in a birth note
On a delivery record you might see a line such as the one below. Most of the letters describe the birth, and CNM tells you who attended it.
| Piece | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| NSVD | Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery |
| 39w2d | Thirty nine weeks and two days of pregnancy |
| Apgars 8/9 | Newborn scores at one and five minutes |
| EBL 250 mL | Estimated blood loss |
| Attended by M. Patel, CNM | A certified nurse midwife managed the birth |
On a clinic schedule: "New OB intake, 10 weeks by LMP, with CNM." This means the first pregnancy visit, dated from the last menstrual period, is booked with a nurse midwife rather than a physician.
CNM compared with other midwife and doctor titles
Several titles sound alike. The table sorts them out.
| Title | Meaning | Nursing degree needed |
|---|---|---|
| CNM | Certified nurse midwife | Yes, RN plus graduate midwifery |
| CM | Certified midwife, same exam, background outside nursing | No, graduate degree in midwifery |
| CPM | Certified professional midwife, focus on births outside hospitals | No |
| OB or OB/GYN | Physician in obstetrics and gynecology | No, a medical degree such as MD or DO |
CM is legal in only some states, and CPM rules also vary. CNM is recognized in all states.
Questions to ask when choosing pregnancy care
Choosing between a nurse midwife, a family doctor and an obstetrician depends on health history and personal wishes. Useful questions include:
- Where does this midwife attend births, and which hospital backs them up?
- What happens if a problem comes up during pregnancy or labor?
- Which options for pain relief are available with this practice?
- Who covers nights and weekends?
The roundup of clinician letters and care settings also explains FNP and other nurse practitioner letters.
This page describes the credential in general terms. Decisions about where and with whom to give birth are best made with your own care team, who know your health history.
Frequently asked questions
What does CNM stand for in medical terms?
CNM stands for certified nurse midwife. It is a registered nurse with a graduate degree in midwifery who has passed a national certification exam.
Is a CNM a doctor?
No. A CNM is an advanced practice nurse, not a physician. Some nurse midwives hold a doctoral degree such as a DNP, but that is a nursing doctorate, not a medical degree.
Can a certified nurse midwife prescribe medicine?
In most states, yes. Nurse midwives can prescribe medicines related to their scope, though the exact rules depend on state law.
Do CNMs only deliver babies?
No. They also provide gynecologic checkups, contraception counseling and menopause care, so some people see a CNM even when they are not pregnant.
What is the difference between a CNM and a doula?
A CNM is a licensed clinician who provides medical care and can attend births. A doula gives emotional and physical support during labor but does not provide medical care.