This article traces the roots and history of nurse-midwifery in the Un
ited States in order to demonstrate the reality of midwifery as a prof
ession in its own right. From its beginnings in the late 1920s, the pr
ofession has gradually evolved from its clear roots in nursing to an i
dentity of its own expressed through its professional organization the
American College of Nurse-Midwives. A review of other countries' expe
riences with midwifery reflect much of the U.S. process and results. T
he future challenge for both professions is to determine how they can
exist in harmony, recognizing that they are complementary roles.