[Changes in nurse-midwifery practices in Taiwan].

Nurse-midwifery professionals play an important role for pregnant women in the healthcare system, providing assistance to both expectant women and their newborn children. In Taiwan, midwifery professionals have contributed significantly to women and infant health. Before 1960s, nurse-midwives were the main nursing caregivers for women and babies. However, this changed for a variety of reasons. In the past, the education of much of the population was limited to vocational high schools and five-year junior colleges. In 1999, midwifery education was extended to the college and graduate school levels. Nurse-midwives hold that pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding represent natural processes. Traditionally speaking, women have been in control of pregnancy and childbirth. Healthcare offered includes the following items: proper medical consultation, collaboration with obstetricians on case management, referral of cases to other institutions, participation in women's health promotion and illness prevention. In Taiwan, in an attempt to realize the great potential of the nurse-midwifery profession, we hope to emphasize the three stages of teaching, examination, and employment. In the future, we hope that nurse-midwifery policies will be directed to promote the image of nurse-midwives and confirm their status as healthcare professionals.