midwife

[mid-wahyf]

noun

plural

midwives 

1. a person trained to assist women in childbirth.

2. a person or thing that produces or aids in producing something new or different.

verb (used with object)

midwifed, midwived, midwifing, midwiving. 

1. to assist in the birth of (a baby).

2. to produce or aid in producing (something new).

   to midwife a new generation of computers.

midwife

/ ˈmɪdˌwaɪf /

noun

1. a person qualified to deliver babies and to care for women before, during, and after childbirth

Word History and Origins

Origin of midwife¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English midwif, from mid “with, accompanying” ( Old English; meta- ) + wif “woman” ( Old English wīf; wife )

Word History and Origins

Origin of midwife¹

C14: from Old English mid with + wif woman

Example Sentences

New mums often join the programme after it's suggested by their midwife, GP or local authority or find it through social media or word-of-mouth.

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Up to 31,000 registered nurses, nurse anesthetists, pharmacists, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists and other specialists are involved in the planned five-day strike.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the big reason for Japanese hesitancy around epidurals is cultural, according to moms, midwives and doctors, with a “natural” birth without pain relief viewed by some as an essential rite of passage in motherhood.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Little Village, which has hubs in Camden, Wandsworth, Brent, Hackney and Hounslow, receives referrals to its services from local community professionals, such as midwives, who come across families in need.

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The review, being led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, has been prompted by dozens of baby injuries and deaths at the trust.

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Related Words

• obstetrician