First Bump on a Bumpy Road

How absurd. The first midwife I ever worked with was a male nurse midwife. This was back in the 1970s. His patients loved him. He was a father to three, had been a RN for about 10 years when he got interested in pursuing the midwife path after coaching his wife through one of her deliveries.

I say if you feel drawn to this avenue then go for it. IMO what a mother in labor wants most is someone who is focused on helping her deliver a healthy baby not on whether that person is male or female.

I've been very fed up with sexist nursing instructors and preceptors...another great reason I'm glad nursing school is over.

Interesting that you never get this attitude when you're talking about OB-GYN's, a majority of which are male.

I'm with HMarieD on this one. Like she said, most OB-GYN's are male and women allow them "down there". That's ridiculous!

I'm sorry to hear that you've experienced this. It is not right, it is not fair. So what can you do? Show them that you will be the best L&D nurse and Midwife that they've ever seen! Prove them wrong, and maybe this instructor will think twice before making a comment like that in the future...

In the meantime, HUGS to you!!

It kills me, too, that women will let the MALE doctor look at them, but don't want a male nurse???? Silly. Not to say that you won't run in to these types, though. Don't give up on your dreams, and don't the the b... - wait, I mean nitwits - get you down.

:paw:

I think its great that you have plans to be a L&D nurse and eventual CNM. I wish more men were open to this specialty.

We really need to get over this! Hello...how many male DRs are there...How many male OB-GYN's are out there. That instructor should be ashamed of herself!

So ridiculous! There aren't a lot of male midwives, probably partially due to idiots like this! The male Ob/GYNs of the world don't seem to have any problems.

I'm not concerned about it. I'm going to do it no matter what anyone thinks. It was kind of comical to me. I have told this to many people and this is the first of this type of response I have received. I figured I would've heard this from someone long ago.

Just wanted to say, if I were pregnant and looking for a midwife... it wouldn't matter to me if they were male or female. I live in a small community and I know a lot of women who prefer female OB's; and maybe that's the way small communities are. But, although I grew up around here, it doesn't seem to make a difference to me whether you're male or female, as long as you know what you're doing. I think you'll do great, and I doubt you're going to find that much of a problem with getting women to trust you. You may find some women who only want women, but I'm sure you'll find an equal amount that don't really mind what you are, as long as you know what you're talking about. :)