Future CNMs

cokegal19 · Jul 15, 2004

Just thought it would be kind of nice to get a little chat going. I know there are a couple of us who are CNM wannabes buthave worries too. My biggest concern is malpractice insurance. Hopefully something will be done soon. I don't mind the schedule.
For me it is a calling. Everything about OB/gyn is fascinating to me. I am also really supportive of the midwifery model of care and its affect on both mother and baby. Countries who use the mw model of care have lower infant mortality rates. Even in the US, where we ranked around 40 last year-- not good, when adjusted for the fact drs had higher risk pts, mw's had lower infant mortality rates in the first year. I don't like the MD care for low risk pgs.
Does anyone know if cnm's every work for the hospital and do shift work?
So what are your worries, hopes and why do you want to be (or are you) a CNM.

I'm with you! First of all, I want to say that I have a son named Tyler, too, and he just turned 2. My son loves to say "Ty-Ty"!!(That's his nickname!) :)

But, yes, I love everything about ob/gyn field of work. Ever since I had my son I was so interested in the whole thing. I did so much research about it and that's when I discovered my life calling! I knew I wanted to work with pregnant women, and I just couldn't think of anything that I could do other than becoming an ob/gyn. I knew that was gonna take a loooonnnggg time, and I didn't really have the money, so I was kinda stuck. Then I was thinking that I could be a doula, or a childbirth educator or something like that. But most of that is part time work. Then i thought I finally found something that I could do to work with pregnant women. A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. So I was persuing that, when my dad said "Hey, if you wanna work with pregnant women, why not be a midwife?" A big ray of light just shined down on me when he said that!!! It was my dream!!!!! I could actually deliver babies and not have to spend 15 years of my life in school, learning about 10 years worth of stuff that I was NOT interested in! So I did some research. I found out that direct entry midwives aren't held as very credible, and are illegal in lots of states (including mine). They also didn't make much, either, and it was risky cause you had to have your own practice. Then I somehow stumbled on the Certified Nurse Midwife career. I could work in a hospital (to answer you question, yes, some CNM's are employed by hospitals), and do prenantal care, deliver the baby, and do post partum care and perscribe medicine!!! It is a dream come true, and every day that I think about not being able to get through nursing school, I remember my goal, and I then reassure myself that it's all going to be worth it in the end!!! I just can't wait to get to that point when I can start learning about midwifery! It's nice to know that there are other's that like CNM work as much as I do!!! Good luck on your goal!!!

ayndim · Jul 15, 2004

I'm with you! First of all, I want to say that I have a son named Tyler, too, and he just turned 2. My son loves to say "Ty-Ty"!!(That's his nickname!) :)
But, yes, I love everything about ob/gyn field of work. Ever since I had my son I was so interested in the whole thing. I did so much research about it and that's when I discovered my life calling! I knew I wanted to work with pregnant women, and I just couldn't think of anything that I could do other than becoming an ob/gyn. I knew that was gonna take a loooonnnggg time, and I didn't really have the money, so I was kinda stuck. Then I was thinking that I could be a doula, or a childbirth educator or something like that. But most of that is part time work. Then i thought I finally found something that I could do to work with pregnant women. A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. So I was persuing that, when my dad said "Hey, if you wanna work with pregnant women, why not be a midwife?" A big ray of light just shined down on me when he said that!!! It was my dream!!!!! I could actually deliver babies and not have to spend 15 years of my life in school, learning about 10 years worth of stuff that I was NOT interested in! So I did some research. I found out that direct entry midwives aren't held as very credible, and are illegal in lots of states (including mine). They also didn't make much, either, and it was risky cause you had to have your own practice. Then I somehow stumbled on the Certified Nurse Midwife career. I could work in a hospital (to answer you question, yes, some CNM's are employed by hospitals), and do prenantal care, deliver the baby, and do post partum care and perscribe medicine!!! It is a dream come true, and every day that I think about not being able to get through nursing school, I remember my goal, and I then reassure myself that it's all going to be worth it in the end!!! I just can't wait to get to that point when I can start learning about midwifery! It's nice to know that there are other's that like CNM work as much as I do!!! Good luck on your goal!!!

We call my Tyler, Ty Ty too. I thought it was just us using that nickname. It just sort of comes naturally. And is sooo cute.

cokegal19 · Jul 15, 2004

Yep, we call him Ty-Ty, Ty, or Ty-Pie(like the game :) ) He likes it. :chuckle

wannabemw · Jul 16, 2004

I am another CNM wannabe...hence the name (lol). Thanks for starting this thread!

I realized my dream 18 yrs ago when I delivered my 2nd child w/a CNM in a German hosp (she was Auzzie, married 2 a German). I observed her after my delivery (in recovery) attending other deliveries and thought...wow, she has such a great job! She must love her job. I then thought "I could do that!" And the rest is history!

I feel some days as if it will take me forever to reach my goals. Then I talk 2 my Doula friend, or I watch one of those silly childbirth shows (natural childbirths-or I change the channel! LOL) or a friend of mine is having yet another baby, and it all comes back to me. I really like the midwifery model of care, and plan to attend Frontier School of Midwifery for grad school (they have online classes and some clinicals).

I orginally thought that it would only take me 7yrs to reach my final goal. Its been 5 yrs now. Geeze it's taking a long time (feel this way somedays?) ! I am hoping 2 start BSN school this fall. I have had many obsticals in my way, and have managed to continue on w/o stopping. So few understand why I want 2 do this!

Gonna Keep on Dreaming CNM Dreams.... :balloons:

MJ

ayndim · Jul 16, 2004

I am another CNM wannabe...hence the name (lol). Thanks for starting this thread!
I realized my dream 18 yrs ago when I delivered my 2nd child w/a CNM in a German hosp (she was Auzzie, married 2 a German). I observed her after my delivery (in recovery) attending other deliveries and thought...wow, she has such a great job! She must love her job. I then thought "I could do that!" And the rest is history!
I feel some days as if it will take me forever to reach my goals. Then I talk 2 my Doula friend, or I watch one of those silly childbirth shows (natural childbirths-or I change the channel! LOL) or a friend of mine is having yet another baby, and it all comes back to me. I really like the midwifery model of care, and plan to attend Frontier School of Midwifery for grad school (they have online classes and some clinicals).
I orginally thought that it would only take me 7yrs to reach my final goal. Its been 5 yrs now. Geeze it's taking a long time (feel this way somedays?) ! I am hoping 2 start BSN school this fall. I have had many obsticals in my way, and have managed to continue on w/o stopping. So few understand why I want 2 do this!
Gonna Keep on Dreaming CNM Dreams.... :balloons:
MJ

It is going to take me along time too! I am going for the ADN, the year bridge to BSN and then the MSN. I looked at frontier and SUNY Stonybrook. I am partially to SUNY as my mw trained there and I did some classes too. Stonybrook's is online too.

I don't worry about it taking along time as most of the mw's I know were "older" when they got their CNM.

wannabemw · Jul 16, 2004

It is going to take me along time too! I am going for the ADN, the year bridge to BSN and then the MSN. I looked at frontier and SUNY Stonybrook. I am partially to SUNY as my mw trained there and I did some classes too. Stonybrook's is online too.
I don't worry about it taking along time as most of the mw's I know were "older" when they got their CNM.

Thanks! Just curious, have u read "Pathways to Midwifery?" I got from my DH for Christmas. It is a really great book. Has schools, paths, ect. I found it in the Midwifery Today Website. It is also on the American College of Midwives site too. www.midwife.org . I think its there too.

Glad 2 hear that others r having a 2nd career in their 40's +. Makes me happy 2 think that others had families, then a 2nd career!

Thanks 4 the encouragement. Hope 2 talk 2 u more in the future!

I gotta get off the net...I've got a killer migraine, and a speech 2 reheorifice 4 speech class tomorrow! UGH! (at least its a "practice" speech for no pts!

Ga Nite!

MJ

Browneyedgirl · Jul 16, 2004

Aspiring midwife here as well. I've never had a birht with a midwife..but i pretty much forced my OB/GYN into that role with the birht of my 3rd child.

I'm in southarkansas..where epidurals and stirrups are every laboring mother's friend ( or so they are led to believe) We need options and I plan on making those options available!

I'm in my junior year of a BSN program...and I'm looking at FRontier, Emory, or Denver for grad school.

Energizer Bunny · Jul 16, 2004

The practice that I go to currently has two dr's and two CNM's. The CNM's do one day on, one day off and then alternate weekends, I believe. The dr's work very closely with them and support them all the way. I am honestly hoping that by the time I get my certification, one of the midwives will be ready to retire and I told my dr. that the last time that I was there!

I have many, many concerns when it comes to actually going into the field of midwifery and once I am ready to hit grad. school, I will make a decision of whether I still want to proceed or not. It is really going to depend on the outlook and how things are shaping up countrywide as far as midwifery goes.

cokegal19 · Jul 16, 2004

OK, I have a question. It sounds like most of you have had children already. Did you all do it naturally, or did you get an epidural? I admire those women who can do it naturally, but I just couldn't. I have 1 son, and during my whole pregnancy, I wanted to have natural childbirth, but boy, i was NOT ready for that pain!!! When I watch those shows, it just seems so much more meaningful, and more emotional to do it natural. I plan on waiting until I've got my ASN at least, maybe even my BSN before having any more kids. I don't want to be a "hipocrite" and talk so highly of the midwife, natural childbirth thing, and then be a complete wimp and end up getting an epidrual! Does anyone know what I mean????

cokegal19 · Jul 16, 2004

OK, I have a question. It sounds like most of you have had children already. Did you all do it naturally, or did you get an epidural? I admire those women who can do it naturally, but I just couldn't. I have 1 son, and during my whole pregnancy, I wanted to have natural childbirth, but boy, i was NOT ready for that pain!!! When I watch those shows, it just seems so much more meaningful, and more emotional to do it natural. I plan on waiting until I've got my ASN at least, maybe even my BSN before having any more kids. I don't want to be a "hipocrite" and talk so highly of the midwife, natural childbirth thing, and then be a complete wimp and end up getting an epidrual! Does anyone know what I mean????

OH, and I posted on this thread earlier... my goal is to be a CNM. It would be especially embarrasing if I was a CNM, and was all set to deliver naturally, and then end up getting the epidural....

also, has anyone ever birthed or labored in the tub? How does it help for the pain?

wannabemw · Jul 16, 2004

OK, I have a question. It sounds like most of you have had children already. Did you all do it naturally, or did you get an epidural?
I have 3 kids. Did as "natural" as I could w/all of them.
1st one: I was 19 did LaMaze (it was the trend) and had a great teacher and my DH was the best Doula ever! Had 20 hr predominal labor. 4 hrs dilation and 3 hrs of pushing = forceps delivery (he was face up-oc posterior). Had 2 have a prudenal block for the delivery. So I guess I went natural.
21 m later I had my 2nd son (w/CNM) had an induction (9 days of false labor) then had a rapid L&D. 2 1/2 hrs, no meds. Very painful 2 b induced! Good thing I dialate fast!
3rd kid (daughter) decided I HAD to have a Midwife, insurance only covered a CNM. Went 2 her until my 7th m, hoping that she would decide 2 begin doing deliveries again b 4 my dd (I knew this going in, but hoped she would change the date she was returning to deliveries-the drs she worked under had a high C-sec rt and I wasn't taking ANY chances). So, I switched 2 an OB/GYN that I knew, and gave them my birth plan. I went into labor 9 days late (like w/ #2, but wasn't going for the PIT at all) and shocked the nurse when I came in 1/2 way through my labor and did not want the IV, meds or interventions that she tried 2 give me. She did win w/the stupid strupps ("hosp policy": yeah right, so was an IV, and I didn't have that!). 6 hr labor total, broken water, because of the strupps I pushed UPHILL for 1/2 hr (I push 2-3 x w/2nd one). No meds.
If u want 2 go nat, might I suggest a Doula and a Bradley class, my friend swears by Hypnobirthing. It will increase your chances of getting the delivery u want. And see a CNM or a Midwife (LM). Do a Birth Center or Home Birth too.
Good Luck! You can do this!!!
MJ