[lisamct]

Ok, I know this is a long shot but I'm looking for some ideas for my elective placement next summer.
Right now I'm just about to finish my 2nd year of midwifery training and due to qualify in Sept 08. At some point during next summer we have a 3 week elective placement which means we can go wherever we want to experience midwifery care elsewhere (funds allowing obviously)
My original plans were to stay in the UK because as a 'poor student' I didnt have many options. However Ive been lucky enough to get some funding from a family member so Ive broadened my horizons. I'm already considering some time in Uganda but Im a bit wary about the safety aspects so I'm looking about for other options. I'm also looking into spending some time at The Farm in Tennessee but options thre are quite limited.

So I'm now considering the US. I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on somewhere 'interesting' to go. I know the US is a big place and Ive had a look round the internet for ideas but I dont really know where to start. I'm looking for somewhere I can extend my knowledge and experiences. At present I train in a reasonably sized unit @3500 births a year. I'd like to go to either a very medicalised, obstetric led area to gain more experience in high risk birth or a very low intervention, midwife led birth centre type area.

Anywhere that springs to mind would be a great help. If anyone wants to recommend their own unit that would be great or if anyone has any thought on where they would go if they had the chance that would really help.

Thanks

[pirap]

A friend of mine mentioned one time that he was going to attend Vanderbilt University or some program in Tennessee that would assist him in obtaining his goal as a CNM. You may want to contact Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt Hospital a HUGE medical facility located in Nashville, TN and like I said I am almost positive they have a CNM program. Do not come to Alabama in search of anything related to being a Midwife-that is why he left the state. You may find everything you are looking for at that facility. Good luck!!

[htrn]

There is a nurse run free standing birth center in southern Texas you may be interested in - Holy Family Birth Center in Weslaco, TX. Their website is holyfamilybirthcenter.com. It is a wonderful place - very healing place for nurses after working in the hustle and bustle of medically managed OB patients. Good Luck.

[lisamct]

Thanks 'pirap' and 'htrn' for your help. I'll check out both of those places and see if they would be useful.
Anyone else have any thoughts?