I get asked all the time "Why in the world do you want to be a midwife? You don't seem like the type of midwife that I've ever heard of". There's some speculation out there that midwives are those "crazy, crunchy, birkenstock-wearing old ladies that whip out herbs and potions for women in labor". This is so not the case!! Well, let me explain. This may be the case for some people who call themselves midwives. So allow me to clarify as needed.
I am studying to be a Certified Nurse Midwife. This is a Master's Degree in Nursing, as well as an Advanced Practice Nurse degree in Midwifery. This will allow me to practice in general women's healthcare and primary care, including family planning, routine pregnancy and birth, postpartum (after delivery) and breastfeeding. As a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), I can see my own patients independently, consulting and referring to a physician as needed for concerns outside of my scope practice. A CNM can order tests, x-rays, etc, and has prescription privileges as well. Pregnancy and birth is a very natural, healthy occurrence. Just as conception for most people, the body knows what to do and how to do it. Healthy pregnant women without problems can be cared for by a CNM and have a wonderful birth experience.
So why choose a Certified Nurse Midwife? Care from a CNM becomes more than an appointment. It is a relationship. Many times that CNM becomes like a part of the family, consequently assisting mothers in the births of new family members through time! Your midwife becomes your friend, your educator, your confidant, your assistant, among many other things! Midwifery generally has a more natural path to pregnancy and birth, however that doesn't mean that things such as epidurals are out of the question. That said, it also does not limit the birth location either. CNM's can assist in births at home, at a birth center or in hospitals. This is the great thing about being a Certified Nurse Midwife! The possibilities are endless when it comes to helping moms to create their most comfortable, safe birth experience.
Please take a minute to complete the survey provided via this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FB8XYC9
Below, you will find some further sources of information to check out! Please review some of the information provided and contact me if you have any questions.
Websites:
Childbirth Connection - http://www.childbirthconnection.org
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American Association of Birth Centers - http://www.birthcenters.org
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Videos:
"The Way We Work" - http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2009/09/by_andrea_hsu_to_mark.html
"Everyday Miracles" - http://www.lamaze.org/p/cm/ld/fid=49
Blogs:
Giving Birth With Confidence - http://givingbirthwithconfidence.org/
Please feel free to comment, email or call me with any questions you might have!
Edna Tucker, RN, BSN, SNM (Student Nurse Midwife)
(602) 384-1233
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