HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2222
midwife
Midwives assist women in childbirth by providing the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, conduct births and provide care for the new-born. They advise on health, preventive measures, preparation for parenthood, detection of complications in mother and child, accessing of medical care, promoting normal birth and carrying out emergency measures.
About midwife
As a midwife, you will provide comprehensive care and support to women throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. You'll be responsible for monitoring maternal and fetal health, assisting with deliveries, detecting complications, and providing emergency care when needed. Your role combines clinical expertise with empathy and communication skills, helping women navigate one of life's most significant experiences with confidence and safety.
Your daily responsibilities include conducting prenatal examinations, performing ultrasounds, monitoring labor progression, assisting births using both standard and specialized techniques, conducting newborn assessments, and providing postpartum care. You'll educate women about pregnancy, labor, and infant care, support breastfeeding, detect abnormalities or complications, and refer patients to physicians when necessary. You'll also counsel women on health, preventive measures, and preparation for parenthood, while maintaining detailed medical records.
Poland's healthcare system values skilled midwives, with steady demand across hospitals, birth centers, and community health services. Career prospects include advancement to senior midwife, midwifery supervisor, or maternal health educator roles. Some midwives establish their own practices or specialize in specific areas like high-risk pregnancies. The role offers meaningful work, strong job security, competitive compensation, and the profound satisfaction of supporting families during life-changing moments.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a midwife.
1
Prenatal Care and Monitoring
- Conduct prenatal examinations to assess maternal health and monitor fetal development
- Perform obstetric ultrasounds to track pregnancy progression and detect abnormalities
- Order and interpret laboratory tests to assess maternal and fetal health indicators
- Provide health education and counseling on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle during pregnancy
2
Labor and Delivery Support
- Monitor labor progression including contractions, cervical dilation, and maternal vital signs
- Provide physical and emotional support to women during labor including pain management
- Conduct births using appropriate techniques and manage normal delivery complications
- Administer analgesics and monitor effectiveness of pain relief measures
3
Newborn and Postpartum Care
- Conduct immediate assessment and care of newborns including APGAR scoring and routine screening
- Provide postnatal care to mothers including monitoring for complications and wound management
- Support breastfeeding by providing education, assessment, and problem-solving assistance
- Educate families on newborn care, hygiene, and health maintenance
4
Complication Detection and Emergency Management
- Identify signs of complications in mother and child during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum
- Perform emergency interventions such as resuscitation when required
- Coordinate with physicians and other healthcare providers for appropriate referral and management
5
Health Education and Counseling
- Provide comprehensive health education on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood preparation
- Advise on preventive health measures and lifestyle modifications
- Counsel on sexual health education and family planning options
- Provide psychological support and stress management guidance for expectant parents
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (69)
hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...microbiology-bacteriologymicrobiology-bacteriologyMicrobiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.childbirthchildbirthThe process of delivering a baby, the symptoms and signs of labour, the expulsion of the baby and all the related steps and procedures, including the ones related to complications and pre-mature birth...health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.lactationlactationThe physiology and function of the breast during lactation as appropriate for counselling the pregnant and postpartum woman.obstetric ultrasonographyobstetric ultrasonographyThe various types of sonography and the information provided when applied to obstetrics such as dating and growth of the pregnancy and visualising the fetus in its mother womb.health care occupation-specific ethicshealth care occupation-specific ethicsThe moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patie...analgesicsanalgesicsThe types of medication used to relief pain in various medical cases.neonatologyneonatologyThe branch of paediatric medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of the new-born.pregnancypregnancyThe process related to conception and development of the fetus in the mother`s womb, the symptoms of pregnancy, risks and complications, diseases and timing of childbirth.pharmacologypharmacologyPharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.postpartum periodpostpartum periodThe changes and possible problems that can occur in the six week period after birth.resuscitationresuscitationThe emergency procedure applied to individuals with no pulse to restore them to consciousness.health educationhealth educationThe factors affecting health and of the educational approach to assisting people to make healthy life choices.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...epidemiologyepidemiologyThe branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution and control of diseases. The disease aetiology, transmission, outbreak investigation, and comparisons of treatment effects.relaxation techniquesrelaxation techniquesThe various methods and techniques used to alleviate stress and bring peace and relaxation to the body and mind. This includes activities such as yoga, qigong or t`ai chi.psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.preparation for parenthoodpreparation for parenthoodThe changes, such as the psychological aspects, affecting the parents after childbirth.sex educationsex educationPrograms targeting human sexual reproduction, emotional relations between sexual partners, birth control and human sexuality in general.female reproductive system pathologyfemale reproductive system pathologyThe diseases of the female reproductive system, such as ovary, vulva and vaginal cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts and diseases of the placenta.pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.embryologyembryologyThe normal development of the embryo, the aetiology of developmental anomalies such as genetic aspects and organogenesis and the natural history of abnormalities diagnosed before birth.postpartum legal protectionpostpartum legal protectionThe legal aspects related to maternity coverage offered to mothers after childbirth.dieteticsdieteticsThe human nutrition and dietary modification for optimising health in clinical or other environments. The role of nutrition in promoting health and preventing illness across the life spectrum.preparation for child deliverypreparation for child deliveryThe procedures to follow for delivering babies and the needed technical equipment in obstetrics.anaestheticsanaestheticsAnaesthetics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.examine the new-born infantexamine the new-born infantPerform a neonatal examination to identify any danger signs, to assess the normal adaptations of a newborn after birth and to identify birth defects or birth trauma.collect biological samples from patientscollect biological samples from patientsFollow recommended processes to collect bodily fluids or samples from patients for further laboratory testing, assisting the patient as required.provide pre-natal careprovide pre-natal careMonitor the normal progression of pregnancy and development of foetus by prescribing regular check-ups for prevention, detection and treatment of health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy...advise on family planningadvise on family planningProvide advice on the use of birth control and methods of contraception available, on sexual education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted diseases, pre-conception counselling and ferti...empathise with the woman's family during and after pregnancyempathise with the woman's family during and after pregnancyDemonstrate empathy with women and their families during pregancy, childbirth labour and in the post partum period.advise on pregnancyadvise on pregnancyCounsel patients on normal changes occurring in pregnancy, providing advice on nutrition, drug effects and other lifestyle changes.assess the course of breast-feeding periodassess the course of breast-feeding periodEvaluate and monitor the breast-feeding activity of a mother to her newly born child.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.provide information on the effects of childbirth on sexualityprovide information on the effects of childbirth on sexualityProvide information to the mother or her family on the effects of childbirth on sexual behaviour.monitor pregnancymonitor pregnancyCarry out the examinations necessary for the monitoring of normal pregnancy.provide education on family lifeprovide education on family lifeProvide culturally sensitive health education and services, focusing on women, family and community and promoting healthy family life, and pregnancy planning.prescribe medicationprescribe medicationPrescribe medications, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope...provide postnatal careprovide postnatal careProvide care to the mother and the new-born child following birth, ensuring that the new-born and the mother are healthy and that the mother is capable of taking care of her new-born.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.advise on pregnancies at riskadvise on pregnancies at riskIdentify and provide advice on the early signs of risk pregnancies.care for the new-born infantcare for the new-born infantTake care of the newly born baby by performing actions such as feeding him/her at regular hours, checking his/her vital signs and changing diapers.provide pregnancy termination careprovide pregnancy termination careStrive to accommodate the physical and psychological needs of a woman undergoing an abortion.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...provide care for the mother during labourprovide care for the mother during labourActively manage women in labour, prescribing and administer pain relief medication as needed and providing emotional support and comfort for the mother.take emergency measures in pregnancytake emergency measures in pregnancyPerform the manual removal of placenta, and the manual examination of the uterus in emergency cases, when the doctor is not present.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.support informed consentsupport informed consentMake sure patients and their families are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments or procedures so they can give informed consent, engaging patients and their families in th...ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...assist on pregnancy abnormalityassist on pregnancy abnormalitySupport the mother in case of abnormality signs during the pregnancy period and call the doctor in emergency cases.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.advise on childbirthadvise on childbirthProvide information to the mother-to-be related to the childbirth procedures in order to be prepared and know what to expect.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.conduct spontaneous child deliveriesconduct spontaneous child deliveriesCarry out spontaneous child delivery, managing the stress related to the event and all the risks and complications that may arise, performing operations such as episiotomies and breech deliveries, whe...accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Optional (15)
phytotherapyphytotherapyThe characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.surgerysurgeryThe essential procedures in surgical practice such as the principle of safe surgery, the pathophysiology of wound healing, knot tying, tissue handling, retraction and any other instruments and procedu...sociologysociologyThe group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.homeopathyhomeopathyThe alternative medicine whereby pills or liquid mixtures containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) can treat a disease.company policiescompany policiesThe set of rules that govern the activity of a company.perform antepartum fetal monitoringperform antepartum fetal monitoringPerform and interpret antepartum diagnostic tests such as non-stress, contraction stress test, and doppler velocimetry.address side effects of menopauseaddress side effects of menopauseAddress side effects of menopause such as fatigue, body temperature changes, mood swings, depression and weight gain. Search for symptoms of health problems that can be caused by menopause, such as he...use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.apply acupunctureapply acupunctureUse procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical...conduct research on reproductive medicineconduct research on reproductive medicineResearch and analyse human reproduction and development biology topics, with a focus on maternal and fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.use obstetric sonographyuse obstetric sonographyApply medical ultrasonography to obstetrics to show the foetus in the mother`s womb.yogayogaThe practice and principles of yoga, used as physical techniques to relax the body and mind.
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