Will AI replace Midwives?

AI can do 36% of the work Midwives do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 15 of them. Robots can technically handle 3 physical tasks. 18 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next15 · 36% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Maintain documentation of all patients' contacts, reviewing and updating records as necessary.10% of time
  • Evaluate patients' laboratory and medical records, requesting assistance from other practitioners when necessary.5% of time
  • Perform post-partum health assessments of mothers and babies at regular intervals.5% of time
  • Provide information about the physical and emotional processes involved in the pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum periods.3% of time
  • Counsel women regarding the nutritional requirements of pregnancy.2% of time
  • Provide patients with contraceptive and family planning information.2% of time
  • Assess the status of post-date pregnancies to determine treatments and interventions.1% of time
  • Establish and follow emergency or contingency plans for mothers and newborns.1% of time
  • Inform patients of how to prepare and supply birth sites.1% of time
  • Refer patients to specialists for procedures such as ultrasounds or biophysical profiles.1% of time
  • Compile and evaluate clinical practice statistics.1% of time
  • Complete birth certificates.1% of time
  • Incorporate research findings into practice as appropriate.1% of time
  • Provide information about community health and social resources.1% of time
  • Collaborate in research studies.under 1% of time

Robots can technically do this3 · 3% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Assess birthing environments to ensure cleanliness, safety, and the availability of appropriate supplies.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Collect specimens for use in laboratory tests.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Test patients' hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood glucose levels.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time

Still needs a person18 · 60% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Monitor maternal condition during labor by checking vital signs, monitoring uterine contractions, or performing physical examinations.10% of time
  • Conduct ongoing prenatal health assessments, tracking changes in physical and emotional health.10% of time
  • Monitor fetal growth and well-being through heartbeat detection, body measurement, and palpation.6% of time
  • Identify, monitor, or treat pregnancy-related problems such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, pre-term labor, or retarded fetal growth.5% of time
  • Provide comfort and relaxation measures for mothers in labor through interventions such as massage, breathing techniques, hydrotherapy, or music.3% of time
  • Obtain complete health and medical histories from patients including medical, surgical, reproductive, or mental health histories.3% of time
  • Provide necessary medical care for infants at birth, including emergency care such as resuscitation.3% of time
  • Provide, or refer patients to other providers for, education or counseling on topics such as genetic testing, newborn care, contraception, or breastfeeding.3% of time
  • Perform annual gynecologic exams, including pap smears and breast exams.3% of time
  • Assist maternal patients to find physical positions that will facilitate childbirth.2% of time
  • Set up or monitor the administration of oxygen or medications.2% of time
  • Develop, implement, or evaluate individualized plans for midwifery care.2% of time
  • Estimate patients' due dates and re-evaluate as necessary based on examination results.1% of time
  • Identify tubal and ectopic pregnancies and refer patients for treatments.1% of time
  • Suture perineal lacerations.1% of time
  • Recommend the use of vitamin and mineral supplements to enhance the health of patients and children.1% of time
  • Treat patients' symptoms with alternative health care methods such as herbs or hydrotherapy.1% of time
  • Respond to breech birth presentations by applying methods such as exercises or external version.under 1% of time

Your week is not the average

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What this means

AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 15 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 3 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 18 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Athletic Trainers38%Genetic Counselors88%Surgical Assistants4%Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars83%Nurse Midwives36%Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric37%

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