"MEDwife"

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 27, 2006

Hello,lovingpecola,

The term "medwife" isn't meant to be negative. A medwife practices the medical management as opposed to more traditional midwifery approach to labor and delivery.

lovingpecola · Jul 27, 2006

Oh ok!

Who coined this term?

How does this term fit CNMs who do homebirths or birth center births?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 27, 2006

Had to look it up. I never can remember his name. Here is the website to the physician who first coined the term, Marsden Wagner, a perinatologist/obstetrician:

http://www.marsdenwagner.com/

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

Or you could be like me a madwife-because when I worked as a midwife I ran around crazy

lovingpecola · Jul 27, 2006

Thanks a bunch for this! It's obvious after reading his bio that he didn't intend for it to be an insult, but some folks are definitely using it that way. It's good to be armed with the knowledge of where it came from so that I can refute the negativity! From the definition you gave above, I assume CNMs who do homebirths/birth center births are not "medwives."

Do you know of any organizations that work to promote harmony between CNMs and CPMs, LMs, LayMs, etc?

lovingpecola · Jul 27, 2006

Or you could be like me a madwife-because when I worked as a midwife I ran around crazy

Ha! Did you blog your experiences? I'm looking for more CNM blogs!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

No but I could certainly write some of my experiences down for you. I was a midwife in the UK so I worked in a birth centre, home environment and even the main L&D as I followed my 'normal' ladies into the main hospital when things went wrong lol. It was certainly an eye opening experience.

CEG · Jul 28, 2006

Hey Loving Pecola,

ITA with you- I always hear "medwife" to negatively talk about a midwife who does not subscribe to the midwifery model of care. I think it applies to any midwife who is into managing labor. I have never heard it used in a postive light.

I am not sure about unifying the different midwives. I know ACNM is certifying direct entry midwives now which I think is new, but it of course comes with strict guidelines. Can CNM's become members of MANA?

I know some other boards I belong to most of the mommies won't even see CNMs because they are too medical- they prefer DEM or Lay midwives or unassisted childbirth. Takes all types I guess:)

Cheers! You are starting school soon, right? Best wishes.

beckinben, CNM · Jul 28, 2006

I am not sure about unifying the different midwives. I know ACNM is certifying direct entry midwives now which I think is new, but it of course comes with strict guidelines. Can CNM's become members of MANA?

Yes, you can join MANA as a CNM. I went to the MANA conference last year in Boulder, and a CNM taught the breech and shoulder dystocia workshops (which were excellent). MANA also has a bridge club with an online discussion group that is for CNMs, CMs, CPMs, LMs, etc.

Becki

lovingpecola · Jul 28, 2006

Thanks for the input everyone! I will definitely check out MANA as I had never heard of it before!

Madwife - I'd love to hear some stories! I love birth stories told from the midwife point of view!

CEG- Yes I start school in about a month! I am SO excited!

Becki - do you have to be a member to check out the MANA discussion forums?

CEG · Aug 1, 2006

Hey LP, not sure if you have had a chance yet, but I was looking at the MANA website, and they have a "bridge club" with the ACNM to forge a bond between all types of midwives. The club is made up of DEM, CNM, CPM, etc. Thought you would be interested.