Introduction:
The profession of a midwife takes a central position in obstetric – gynaecological care. It has clearly defined legal responsibilities and powers. Although the occupational functions and the role of a midwife evolved over the centuries, midwives continue to provide holistic pre-conceptual care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, and in the gynaecologic oncology care of newborns and infants until the second month of life. Care provided by the primary health care (PHC) midwife is aimed at the whole family. This is a kind of patronage of the family, necessary not only in hospitals but also in the home environment.

Objective:
Presentation of the role of family midwife in Poland.

Brief description of state of the art:
The rise of interest in health promotion and environmental influences on health strengthened the position of environmental and family midwives. Primary health care midwives complete tasks set up for their position, that is: promotion of healthy lifestyle and disease prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment, rehabilitation, teaching the midwife profession, conduct of scientific research in the field of maternity care, managing the work of professional nurses and midwives. The range of individual services provided by a midwife is influenced by different factors.

Summary:
Priorities of health policy and health needs that can be distinguished in our society›s background define midwives› participation in the implementation of health services in different areas of health care. At the same time, there is a need to extend the professional tasks of midwives in the fields of promotion, prophylaxis, child care, care of women and their families while they are healthy or ill, care for the chronically ill and elderly, and also support for environments with social problems, which is determined by the organizational and economic aspects.