a CNM who hasn't given birth

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Oct 24, 2007

Have you heard of Penny Armstrong? She is a well know midwife. She has written several book "A Wise Birth" and "A Midwife's Story" She is the midwife that works with the Amish. She can not have children either and she has helped women deliver over 1200 babies.

I want to become a CNM too and I have not had children; and do not plan on having them until I am done with school. My Ob instructor who is a midwife who adopted both of her children told me (I was worried about not having children yet while doing OB rotation; and a male student who was worried about educating a new mom on breastfeeding) said, "Do all cardiologists have heart attacks? Does that mean they are not qualified to be cardiologists?".....

mslinzyann · Oct 25, 2007

I haven't checked this thread in a long time, but I've recieved some great replies here! I felt a sort of...intrinsic problem with not having kids and helping other women bring children into the world. I don't know if I mentioned this in my original post or not, but I have bipolar disorder and I will need to be on medication to treat it indefinitely. I thought this meant I could never have children, but since my psychiatrist had explained to me that there are options for becoming pregnant that we can discuss when the time comes. So, I feel good about that.

Still, the point that various medical practitioners haven't experienced what they are treating makes a lot of sense, suprised I've never thought of it. And there are a lot of male OB/GYNs, too.

Thanks for the very supportive post. :)

naynaycat · Jan 18, 2008

I am unable to have children due to a variety of factors, but I am intensely interested in women's health and health promotion. I've thought a great deal about becoming a CNM, but I feel like because I will never give birth, I wouldn't be qualified to do the job. What do you think? I can't help but feel like without the experience of having had a child, I won't be equipped to advise others.

Hey, i don't have to kill someone to know that it's bad, what i'm saying is, just because you've never experienced, doesn't mean you don't know how beautiful it is, go for your dreams, you only live once!!!!!