To clarify a little more, there is a difference in lay midwifery, direct entry midwifery, and nurse-midwifery. A person can be a direct-entry midwife and not be considered a lay midwife. "The term "
Lay Midwife" has been used to designate an uncertified or unlicensed midwife who was educated through informal routes such as self-study or apprenticeship rather than through a formal program.
A
direct-entry midwife is an independent practitioner educated in the discipline of midwifery through self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery school, or a college- or university-based program distinct from the discipline of nursing. So, a direct-entry midwife is not a nurse first but may or may not be a
lay midwife. Some direct-entry midwives who seek formal education and legal liscensing may attend Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) - accredited schools and take the NARM exam for certification as a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife). Here's an example of a direct-entry midwife MEAC-approved program at Miami Dade College:
http://www.mdcc.edu/pdf/programs/as_..._preselect.pdf (for some reason I can only find the prereqs page)
another- Midwives College of Utah:
http://www.midwifery.edu/
The different types of midwives and different designations are confusing, here is a page of definitions that is helpful:
http://www.mana.org/definitions.html
Would you like to comment?
I'm just not sure which one to do first and I don't know who else to ask. 
