Requirements

Midwife - requirements

Midwives use their medical expertise to assist pregnant women in their journey to becoming mothers, providing support to mother and child. Read on to find out more about what being a midwife is like, what your career might involve and how you can work towards your first role in the field.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a midwife?

To work as a midwife, you’ll typically a degree or other qualification in:

Community Nursing

You might also consider a degree-equivalent apprenticeship in these areas. You’ll also need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which may have extra criteria that you’ll need to meet.

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Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a midwife?

You don’t need a postgraduate level qualification to work in this field, but they are a useful way to develop advanced professional skills.

You might pursue a postgraduate degree such as:

Midwifery
Advanced clinical practice
Optimising breastfeeding
Perinatal mental health

What skills do you need to be a midwife?

As a midwife you’ll need a passion for childcare, along with medical expertise and personal resilience.

Hard skills usually include:

Knowledge of medicine and neonatal care
Psychological knowledge and counselling skills
Knowledge of the NHS values
NHS and obstetric processes

Soft skills include:

Empathy
Attention to detail
Compassion and patience
Work well under pressure
Problem-solving and diagnostic skills
Time management

Do you need work experience to be a midwife?

You’ll typically want to get some experience in health or social care before you start applying for paid positions. Many midwives have experience in a nursing background before they transfer. Local NHS trusts have voluntary services coordinators, and you can also find opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations. This will give you a good experience of what it’ll be like to work as a midwife and prepare for the demands of the role.