Although this term carries a negative connotation, a lay midwife does not necessarily hold a low level of education.

She is a lay midwife, one who came to the birthing room by apprenticeship, rather than by university training, and who specializes in home birth.

That potential, for most doctors, makes a lay midwife, who lacks medical training and works outside the medical system, too big a risk.

That Sibyl is a lay midwife, without formal medical training, pushes the stakes even higher.

"The public should have access to physicians, nurse-midwives and trained lay midwives," he said.

A lay midwife can be helpful for routine deliveries but may not have the medical training necessary to handle a complicated labor or emergencies.

The clerk almost hesitated when he saw her tiny size; she noticed it immediately and added, "I'm a lay midwife as well."

A lay midwife, who delivers babies at home.

Advocates for lay midwives argued that state officials were in effect seeking to ban home births by restricting midwifery to nurses.

Some will go to a lay midwife and have a VBAC in their bedroom.