How does one become a midwife?

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fergus51

6,620 Posts

Undiagnosed twins? Wierd. My aunt used a midwife who didn't believe in routine ultrasounds, but she was so big by 6 months that she sent her for one... I now have beautiful twin cousins. She did wind up having to go to the OB and forego her plans for the birthing center.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Yes undiagnosed. I am not lying here! We had to ring for a 2nd baby nurse and warmer post-haste while the doctor attempted to relieve the prolapse situation. It was hairy for a while there, but mom and babes were ok in the end. And believe it or not, mom did get to deliver her 2nd baby lady partslly, as well. I was glad a skilled OB with 30 years' experience was on that night, let me tell ya.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Personally, I always enjoyed working with midwives. SO much so, I used to aspire to be one. Liability issues make it prohibitive for me, alas. But Ihave bought so many midwifery text books and biographies, from "grannie midwives", to modern Varney's Midwifery. I own tons of books; it's not funny. My respect for the amazing caregivers knows no bounds.

fergus51

6,620 Posts

We had an undiagnosed case of twins in the hospital a while ago. L&D called us for a 25 weeker and we wound up having two. Course, we only sent one doc, one nurse and one RT.... I'm glad it wasn't me! Apparently the woman just came in ready to pop and had no prenatal care.

I've also always been interested in midwifery. My hospital in Canada had a lot of british midwives working as L&D nurses and they were all so fab that I am seriously looking into studying it in the UK one day.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Yep undiagnosed twins can happen in OB care. Sadly. Our OBs are very heavy handed with u/s themselves. I have not seen (to date) an indiagnosed case of twins for either group, but I am sure it can happen. It's just unnerving to get a patient in the middle of the night, whom we dont' know and have this happen. An OB could easily make the same mistake, I am sure. I don't want to say midwives are careless as a group!

parteiranagua

59 Posts

We have had to come to the rescue for cases where things went wrong in attempted homebirths, for example, just months ago, an undiagnosed twin breech gestation who failed to progress at home. This midwife was not in the habit of doing U/S on anyone.... We thought we were getting ONE baby, when it was TWO, not to mention the cord having prolapsed in the 2nd case. The midwife was very non chalant about this whole situation, which to me, was concerning.

Sorry to hear that.. good and bad everywhere... but this not the representation of good standard of care for a homebirth MW (either CNM or DEM..). A exprerienced and serious MW can pick up a possible twin pregnancy by fundal heigh progression and FHR location in discrepancy with Leopold maneuvers and then refer or order a U/S.

One of the many good references u can read for AP and IP care in a home birth setting is Holistic Midwifery vol 1 and 2 by Anne Frye...

BTW at what stage of the labor did u discover this cord prolapse?

Ginny

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

One of the many good references u can read for AP and IP care in a home birth setting is Holistic Midwifery vol 1 and 2 by Anne Frye...

BTW at what stage of the labor did u discover this cord prolapse?

Ginny

Right after the birth of what we thought was the ONLY baby. :sofahider I have read Anne Frye....agree. Good model. Thank you!

parteiranagua

59 Posts

Right after the birth of what we thought was the ONLY baby. :sofahider I have read Anne Frye....agree. Good model. Thank you!

yeah.. well nobody would have guessed this one huh??? cya!!

Ginny

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

http://www.1cascade.com

where I got some EXCELLENT books about midwives and midwifery. They also sell supplies and cater specifically to midwives. My favorite book has always been Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual Midwifery.

Look in the "recommended reading" sticky at the top of this forum, and you will find people have listed some AMAZING reading references for midwives, doulas, and OB nurses! I can't get my hands on enough good reading on the subject.

just a disclaimer: that was not an advertisement, I do not work for this company. I just enjoy their books and always received excellent service. :)

madwife2002, BSN, RN

26 Articles; 4,777 Posts

Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
http://www.1cascade.com

where I got some EXCELLENT books about midwives and midwifery. They also sell supplies and cater specifically to midwives. My favorite book has always been Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual Midwifery.

Look in the "recommended reading" sticky at the top of this forum, and you will find people have listed some AMAZING reading references for midwives, doulas, and OB nurses! I can't get my hands on enough good reading on the subject.

just a disclaimer: that was not an advertisement, I do not work for this company. I just enjoy their books and always received excellent service. :)

Great BOOK

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

there are some other WONDERFUL books and materials there too. Like I said, I cannot get enoiugh........

when a bday comes along, I ask for gifts from there. it's a no-brainer for them!

keeper

65 Posts

Deb, somehow, I'm not surprised at all that you're a fan of Cascade and Spiritual Midwifery. :)

Sarah

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