[studentmom2007]

Hello, fairly new here. I am just curious to get some advice/opinions from those more experienced. I am currently taking pre-reqs to apply to nursing school, most likely to get an ADN. I know for sure I want to do labor and delivery.

I've started thinking more and am dreaming up a crazy dream and just wonder how to make it possible. I had both my kids unmedicated (no epi, no pit, no narcotics), but in a hospital under the care of a great OB. I personally wouldn't have wanted a home birth or birth center experience, but I am starting to change my mind.

Last week I sat with a friend while she was in labor because her husband was sick and couldn't go to the hospital. He later was able to make it and be there for the birth so I left to give them their time. She did have an epidural so she didn't need much assistance at all. kinda boring for me who was hoping for more action!

Since then, I have started dreaming about becoming a CNM and opening a water-birth center. Can it happen? What kind of start-up would it take? What about laws and insurance and how much to charge the families? I wouldn't want to do anything to put my family at a financial risk. I have 2 kids to send to college in the future (even though they are only 1 & 3 right now!)

I don't want to be unrealistic with my dreams, but at the same time, why not try and go for a dream? Who says it cannot happen? Of course, my husband and I would have to agree and work together. Right now, I just want to go through nursing school and get some RN experience but I'm looking at waaay down the road, when my kids aren't at home. Thanks for any advice!

[epiphany]

You made me smile cos you're thinking so far in advance. I too went nursing school just to become a CNM. I've met lots of CNM who works for themselves, or in group, and they do home births. They take turns being on call. I think the business part of CNM is probably not something people would be able to answer here - I find that most people here are CNM students like me or like you, looking for schools. It also all depends on which part of the country you're going to end up working regulation in your area. Now that I'm in CNM school (nearly over!), I'm meeting a lot of midwives in my clinical settings and ACNM meetings, and finding out a lot about . That would be the time to network, talk to people and find out what you need to know. I CAN tell you this - there are plenty of jobs around when you graduate. Most graduates I know has had a job offer right out of school. A lot of these opportunities happen during the clinicals where connections are made. You can always work a while in birth center until you find the right opportunity to do homebirths.

Lots of luck to you