jordemødre

Jordemødre is the Danish term for midwives. In Denmark, jordemødre are trained health professionals who provide care for pregnant people, during labor, and in the postpartum period. They work as part of the maternity care system and collaborate with obstetricians, general practitioners, and neonatal teams. Their primary aim is to support safe conception, pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood while respecting the choices and cultural needs of families.

Education and regulation: Jordemødre complete a higher education program leading to a bachelor’s degree in midwifery. The training combines university-level study with extensive clinical placements in hospitals, birth centers, and community settings. After graduation, they typically register with the national professional register and are guided by national guidelines and professional standards for prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.

Practice and scope: They perform risk assessment, monitor the health of the pregnant person and the fetus, provide information and counseling, support labor, monitor progress, and assist with delivery. They administer or supervise pain relief within their scope, perform newborn checks, and support breastfeeding and infant care. They identify warning signs of complications and arrange referrals to obstetricians or other specialists when necessary. They also offer postnatal home visits or outpatient follow-up, depending on local arrangements.

Work environments and history: Jordemødre work in hospitals, maternity wards, and community-based settings such as birth centers and clinics. Home births are organized in Denmark in some cases with qualified midwives. The profession has a long history in Denmark and has evolved into a regulated, evidence-based practice that emphasizes the autonomy and expertise of midwives within the wider healthcare system.