[waterfall99]

I'm in the process of exploring my options for midwifery. I am an RN, and I know about CNM programs, but I was curious about other options.

Can someone enlighten me? My goal is to take care of patients that want to deliver in birthing centers, or something similar.

[Curls105]

You can deliver in birthing centers, hospitals or home births if you are a CNM. Since you are already an RN becoming a CNM seems like the most logical route for you. There are Certified Professional Midwives who are not nurses but there are more legal restrictions on them and there are also lay midwives which are pretty much illegal. Good luck!

[beckinben]

Here's a helpful book (long url):

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/Mercha...gory_Code=MTBK

It goes through all the different types of midwives. I read it when I was trying to make the decision that you are making (I still chose CNM).

Good luck!
Becki

[CapeJaz]

Lay midwives are not illegal in most states...
www.mana.org has a lot of information on lay & direct entry midwives

[Curls105]

Oops, my bad, I thought they were.

[okchug]

I am not a midwife but as a doula I work with them (both CNM and lay). Be sure to check very CAREFULLY what your home state requires. In Oklahoma lay midwives are allowed to practice. We have no regulation on their certification. BUT there are not very many of them around because most of the hospitals do not allow them thru the door if a patient is transferred. I had a friend experience this first hand. They went thru the ER and the midwife had to stay out of the room and could not be involved even for labor support. It's sad, but true. We have lost quite a few really good free standing birth centers due to pressure by the hospitals and problems with insurance. I plan to go the CNM route because it keeps more options open- home, birth center, hospital.
Each state is different and some are more midwife friendly, some offer certification, and some ban lay midwives altogether.
Good Luck!