The most definitive, authoritative and comprehensive history of Midwifery in the US, authored by two of the profession's most distinguished nurse-leaders. There is no single text or book that spans the totality of the history of midwifery in the United States or is as comprehensive as this definitive text/reference. The book begins with the early history of Midwifery in the US (spanning the period from the 1600s to the 1940s) and proceeds to move through and emphasize various additional and more recent eras of significance and evolution and development of the profession. Important topics such as the nursing roots of the profession, the beginnings of professional practice, the founding of educational institutions for nurse-midwives, direct entry into the profession, the founding of professional organizations and challenges as well as opportunities for the future are addressed through a wealth of illustrations, story boxes, end notes, and additional resources.