National Fellowship of Direct Entry Midwives
Excellence in Certification, Tradition in Practice
Consumer Confidence
Fostering Safety, Excellence, and Accountability in Midwifery Care
At the National Fellowship of Direct Entry Midwives (NFDEM), we are committed to promoting high standards of safety, education, and ethical practice in direct-entry midwifery. We recognize that choosing a Certified Direct Entry Midwife (CDEM) is a significant decision, and our goal is to provide families with information about midwifery care, professional training, and consumer protection measures.
While NFDEM sets the standards for CDEM credentialing, midwives practice as independent professionals and are solely responsible for their own clinical decisions and business practices. Families should take time to understand their midwife’s scope of practice, experience, and individual policies when choosing a care provider.
The Safety of Home Birth
Research and global data support the safety of planned home birth for low-risk pregnancies when attended by a trained and experienced midwife. Studies indicate that:
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Planned home births with qualified midwives result in low rates of medical intervention while maintaining high levels of maternal and newborn well-being.
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Home birth provides a physiological and supportive birthing environment while ensuring access to transport when needed.
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Risk assessment is ongoing, with midwives referring or transferring care when conditions fall outside of safe home birth parameters.
Midwives holding the Certified Direct Entry Midwife (CDEM) credential meet NFDEM’s educational and clinical standards; however, each midwife operates as an independent practitioner and is responsible for their own adherence to professional and legal requirements.
Training and Certification of a Certified Direct Entry Midwife (CDEM)
The CDEM credential signifies that a midwife has completed rigorous education and demonstrated clinical competency in maternal and newborn care. The certification process includes:
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Comprehensive Education – Completion of an accredited midwifery program or an apprenticeship pathway that meets national competency benchmarks.
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Clinical Experience – Hands-on experience in prenatal, labor, birth, postpartum, and newborn care under the supervision of experienced midwives.
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Examination & Credentialing – Passage of a nationally recognized certification examination, verifying the midwife’s ability to provide safe, evidence-based care.
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Ongoing Professional Development – Certified Direct Entry Midwives must maintain certification through continuing education and adherence to NFDEM’s professional standards.
While NFDEM provides the framework for high-quality midwifery education and certification, individual midwives operate autonomously and may establish their own clinical practices in accordance with local laws and regulations.
Consumer Feedback and Complaint Process
NFDEM values transparency and professional accountability. While we do not regulate midwifery practice, we provide a process for consumers to submit feedback or register a complaint regarding a Certified Direct Entry Midwife’s adherence to NFDEM’s credentialing standards.
How to Submit a Concern
If you have concerns about a Certified Direct Entry Midwife’s compliance with the National Fellowship of Direct Entry Midwives CDEM certification requirements, you may:
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Communicate with Your Midwife – If you feel comfortable, address your concerns directly with your midwife to seek resolution.
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Submit a Complaint to NFDEM – If your concern relates specifically to a midwife’s compliance with CDEM credentialing standards, you may complete the NFDEM Concern Registration Form link found on this page.
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Review & Assessment – NFDEM will review complaints specific to CDEM certification, but we do not oversee midwives’ independent clinical practices. Concerns outside of certification scope may need to be addressed through other channels, such as state regulatory bodies or legal avenues.
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Possible Actions – If a review finds that a midwife has violated NFDEM’s certification requirements, we may take appropriate action regarding their CDEM status, including requiring additional education or, in cases of significant non-compliance, revoking certification.
Limitations of NFDEM’s Authority
It is important to understand that NFDEM is not a regulatory or licensing body. While we set and uphold certification standards, we do not govern midwives’ independent practice, business policies, or legal compliance. Consumers should verify their midwife’s credentials, experience, and any applicable local licensing requirements before entering into a midwifery care agreement.
Your Confidence Matters
At NFDEM, we are committed to advancing midwifery education and credentialing to support high standards of care. We encourage families to:
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Educate themselves on midwifery care and the CDEM credential.
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Ask questions and verify their midwife’s experience, training, and professional policies.
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Understand their rights and responsibilities in choosing a birth provider.
Thank you for placing your confidence in our members. We look forward to serving you.