In this post:
- Midwifery is a profession that stretches back thousands of years, with evidence of its practice in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt.
- At Providence Swedish, midwives offer comprehensive care, this includes attending births and providing expert, ante and postpartum care, primary care, annual exams, birth control counseling, menopausal care, breastfeeding support and more.
- Watch the short video below to hear from some of our certified nurse midwives what their "labor of love" means to them.
We're proud to share that all the certified nurse midwives recognized in Seattle Met's 2026 Top Doctors list are from Providence Swedish.
Midwives are a critical, and sometimes misunderstood, member of obstetrics and gynecology care teams. In popular culture, midwives are stereotypically cast as the folksy and wise aunties who roll up their sleeves to help bring babies into the world, but midwives are, in realty, highly trained clinicians who play much larger roles in primary and specialty care.
Our midwives attend births and help prepare patients and their families for parenthood.They also provide expert, comprehensive women’s health care, before, during and after childbirth, including annual exams and menopause care. They are are deeply committed to every birthing family we serve, ensuring that they receive the best care and have the best outcome possible.
Watch the video below to meet some of our midwives and hear what they love most about their work caring for patients during some of life's most vulnerable moments.
Learn more and find a provider
Every year, more babies are born at Swedish than at any other health system in western Washington. Visit our website to learn more about midwives at Swedish and how they can partner with you to create the most personalized birthing experience possible. Swedish has three birth centers — First Hill, Issaquah and Edmonds — making it convenient for people who live or work in the Seattle, Eastside and North End areas. Swedish patients can take classes, meet other families, get help with lactation and go for new parents and well-baby checkups at The Lytle Center for Pregnancy & Newborns at our First Hill birth center. You can also get expert advice there and help with wellness.
If you need a gynecologist, women's health specialist or primary care doctor, Swedish is here for you. Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.
Additional resources
At Swedish, midwives’ expansive role in care is helping build community
Is a C-section the right choice for you?
Labor induction: What to expect when baby's arrival needs a nudge
You don’t have to go through it alone: Support for postpartum mental health
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
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