jordmødre

Jordemødre are trained health professionals in the Danish-speaking world who specialize in midwifery, providing care to pregnant people, during birth, and in the postpartum period. They focus on supporting normal pregnancies and births and work to promote the health of both parent and newborn.

Their work spans prenatal care, labor and birth, and postnatal support. They perform risk assessment, monitor fetal development, offer guidance on nutrition, exercise, pain management, and breastfeeding, and support informed decision-making. During birth they provide physical and emotional support, monitor labor progress, and assist with normal deliveries while managing complications within their scope and referring to physicians when needed. They work to ensure safety, detect warning signs early, and collaborate with other health professionals when higher-level care is required.

Education and regulation: Becoming a jordemoder requires completing an accredited midwifery education and obtaining licensure to practice. They are regulated by the national health authority and are typically members of professional associations, with ongoing professional development and adherence to established guidelines.

Settings and care model: Jordemødre work in hospitals, maternity clinics, and community health centers, and some provide home birth services. They often form the core of continuity-of-care models, collaborating with obstetricians, nurses, and other health professionals to support pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

History and context: The profession has roots in traditional birth attendants and has evolved into a regulated health specialty in Nordic countries. The central aim is to support normal pregnancies and births while ensuring safety and timely referral for complications.