Are CNMs independent of OBs or not?

Specialties CNM

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I've gotten some conflicting info here. Somebody told me that CNMs are required by law to have OB collaboration, somebody else told me that CNMs are totally independent of doctors and have their own practice which is totally separate?

I imagine the laws vary by state, but whats typical for most states? Are CNMs required to collaborate with OBs or not?

If CNMs are not required to collaborate or be supervised by MDs, then why do so many CNMs choose to work in hospital settings? It seems to defeat the purpose to me.

Specializes in nursery, L and D.

I can understand why CNM do hospital births as opposed to home births. But I really want to do home births if I were to go the CNM route (not sure yet). I hated my hospital births. Before I knew any better, I just went along with the pit them till the baby's heart rate drops, whisk the baby away after the birth, etc. I know most hospitals don't do this any more, but our local one does.....I work there, and had my babies there. Not good for mom or baby, but thats how it is.

As to the OP question......not many OBs that I know would back up a CNM doing a home birth, they won't even back the family practice docs that want to deliver(in the hospital) and I am pretty

sure that back up is required, at least in my state. So I don't know what the the answer is, but I hope the laws do get changed soon.

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Fine then make it $500, or $1000, or $10,000 per delivery. Thats not hte point and I really dont care what CNMs make for each delivery.

The point is that WHATEVER CNMs make, whether its $1 per delivery or $10,000 per delivery is going to be MUCH MUCH cheaper than what it costs for a CNM-delivery at a birth center or major hospital.

We get it--you're into home births....sheesh! :deadhorse

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Specializes in OB, lactation.
Sorry, but my salary is more than $200, and I am worth every penny. Maybe a doc who walks in as the head crowns and catches and walks out 15 minutes later deserves $200, but I don't.

:nono:

I don't know if it was intended as bashing or just not thought out but I was thinking the same thing - $200??!!

Wow.

The work, training, skill, and responsibility involved in baby catching is very valuable.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.
Giving up and leaving the hospital is probably the worst thing that CNMs could do, though.

You wanted to know why CNMs keep working in the hospital. Everything I've said - that is why.

I'm with ya beckinben. Change does happen slowly & sometimes putting yourself in a moderate setting gets you in a position where you can introduce others to your views in a successful way to help change along.

Homebirths are wonderful, but it is not very helpful as far as helping change among the mainstream - it's preaching to the choir. So what setting to practice in really depends on what the midwife's goals are.

You are able to model good midwifery model- style services to many more people if you do hospital work.

Also, on a practical note, in many areas you can't make an adequate income to live on with only homebirths.

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