Asserts midwives saw drunken head orderly (5)
I believe the answer is:
avows
'asserts' is the definition.
('avow' can be a synonym of 'assert')
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for avows that I've seen before include "Affirms as true" , "Declares solemnly" , "Swears" .)