Midwifery??

CEG · Oct 14, 2007

But to go to medical school you need to have a bachelor's first as well, so add another 4 years.

True, but that is not necessarily related. For instance I know an OB who was a music major for her undergrad. She took the pre-med science track as well, but I wouldn't say her undergrad years were training for work in medicine. A pre-med track as an undergrad is just science intensive- the same science courses I took in nursing school with the exception of a different math class.

WorkofHeart8 · Oct 14, 2007

A pre-med track as an undergrad is just science intensive- the same science courses I took in nursing school with the exception of a different math class.

Wow. This is what my school suggests taking for pre-med:

2 semesters of English composition, 2 semesters of inorganic chemistry w/lab, Math through calculus, 2 semesters of organic chemistry w/lab,

2 semesters of general biology, w/lab 2 semesters of physics w/lab

For a BSN we don't need to do the 4 semesters chemistry (only 1 gen chem class), we only need 1 math class, and no physics.

sheldon · Jan 20, 2008

What is the difference between a lay midwife and nurse midwife??

I don't know where you got your information but your answer to the question asked showed a real lack of knowledge regarding lay midwives. Lack of a nursing degree does not automatically mean unskilled or uneducated. There are hundreds of excellent lay midwives, certified professional midwives and direct-entry midwives attending women and assisting at the births of happy, healthy and SAFE babies and moms evrey day. Do a little research!

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 21, 2008

Just wanted to remind everyone that dare2dream is a nursing student and looking for information.

Much of the information on this thread is accurate.

No one is slamming lay midwives, just saying that it's harder to quantify the qualifications of a lay midwife versus someone who's licensed in a certain state. I live in a state where CPMs are not legally allowed to practice. Do I agree with that? No. Do they practice? Of course. As long as there are women who want to birth at home - which is their right - and states that aren't very midwife-friendly, there will be midwives catching babies at home 'illegally.'

There is a real push in many states to legalize and regulate the practice of CPMs so that home birth can be made even safer. I would love to see that happen.