I'm sure we all spent sleepless nights post-Monday wondering where the origin of midwife comes. No more! Here it is. Too bad it wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. *drum roll*
Word History: "Wife" in its earlier history meant "woman" as it still did when the compound "midwife" was formed in Middle English (first recorded around 1300). "Mid" is probably a preposition, meaning "together with". Thus, a "midwife" was literally a "with woman" or "a woman who assists other women in childbirth". Even though obstetrics has been rather resistant to midwifery until fairly recently, the etymology of "obstetric" is rather similar, going back to the Latin word "obstetrix" (a midwife) from the verb "obstere" (to stand infront of) and the feminine suffix "-trix"; the "obsterix" would thus literally "stand in front of the baby".
If this sounds like something of a career you'd like to pursue: Men >> Think Greg Focker in Meet the Parents and of the beaming smiles on your family's face when you tell them you're going to be a midwife
Check out the possible career paths you can take! http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/midwife.shtml
Direct Entry Midwife
Certified Midwife
Nurse Midwife
Certified Nurse Midwife
Your family physician or OB/GYN can refer you to a midwife in your area. Call 1.888.MIDWIFE on the 24 hour toll-free number!
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