Midwife of primary health care in the healthcare system in Poland has been operating for many years. Her competencies are mainly associated with postpartum visits at women’s home and care of a newborn at that time. However, the scope of duties is significantly greater. After the reform of health care system in 1999 in Poland, primary health care was designed to meet the objectives outlined by the World Health Organization for the referral level of health care. The midwife of primary health care (community midwife) besides providing care and diagnostics in her field of competence also educates women at every stage of her life and her family about proper self-care.

Key words: midwife, midwife of primary health care, World Health Organization, self-care, education, health education, Polish health care system.