midwife
A midwife is a trained person who helps women give birth and care for their babies after they're born.
The word "midwife" comes from two old words: "mid", meaning middle, and "wif", meaning woman. So, a midwife was originally someone who helped the woman in childbirth, which happens in the middle of her pregnancy or labor. Today, the term is used for any trained birth assistant, not just someone who helps with the actual delivery. Many countries have midwives as part of their healthcare system, and they often work alongside doctors to provide care for new mothers and babies.
How common is "midwife"?
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
noun
A person, usually a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth, but who is not a physician.
Example: A hundred years ago, a midwife would bring the baby into the world - going to a hospital to deliver a baby was either impossible or unheard of.
verb
To act as a midwife
Real examples of "midwives" in context
