As you set out to explore your educational opportunities remember this is not a race for the finish line. In most cases, you are not going to get "there" and "become" unless you are studying to become a CNM.

Certified Nurse Midwives have clearly defined educational and certification requirements. However, they are often legally defined right out of homebirth. But to be honest and fair, CNM training is designed for the hospital environment of management practices, protocols guidelines and birth philosophies. This is certainly not a bad thing because again, the issue is birthing choices. Many more families in the U.S. choose to birth in hospitals than at home. Thank goodness CNM's are there to serve those women; they'd be abandoned to the system otherwise.

Midwifery, in a traditional sense, pretty much encompasses all of the other titles that are out there: Independent, Traditional, Lay, Community, Empirical, Domiciliary and Direct-entry. Under most of these definitions, is not something you "become", it is more of a life evolvement and community appointment. This serves women by completing the circle of choice in care providers. Traditional midwifery is about supporting the family right to choose how they birth and with whom. Unfortunately, some states infringe very criminally on a birthing family's freedom to choose whom will attend their birth. There are a few states in the U.S. that prosecute the practice of midwifery as a crime by putting government in the bed room/birthing room. What is being missed in the whole issue is that this is not a crime against midwives. It is a crime against birthing women. This is a civil rights violation, pure and simple. Women are once again the victims of a male dominated society and oppressive governmental bureaucracy.

Who should ever be allowed to tell any woman whom she may birth with? Since when is a family, willing to take responsibility for themselves, inadequately qualified to do so? Good midwifery education starts with clearly understanding the arena being entered. It is complex but must be learned.

So, you must become educated yourself and then become a voice supporting midwifery and homebirth. You must also become an educator so you can teach women to trust their bodies and the process that is truly normal, birth.

If you haven't chosen a program of study yet, here are a few titles that will whet your appetite!

"Sisters on a Journey" by Pennfield Chester

"A Midwife's Tale" by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

"Becoming a Midwife" by Carolyn Steiger

"Spiritual Midwifery" by Ina May Gaskin

"Heart & Hands" by Elizabeth Davis

These books will help aquatint you with midwifery in a wide perspective and interesting historical frame of reference.

FINDING A PROGRAM OF STUDY

This is an area that you should investigate thoroughly. A student can select from a wide range of educational options and really get into a program that can be tailored to their needs.

There are many more midwifery schools now than ever before. Some are accredited and some are not. Fully accredited programs are usually offered through a college or university. Look carefully. Find out who actually recognizes the accreditation.

There are even excellent distance learning/assisted studies midwifery programs through correspondence. Assisted studies usually means that there is an instructor available by phone when needed during normal business hours. These types of programs vary in style but generally cover the academics very well. Their theory of midwifery practice varies according to the values of the individual foundation. So, there is something for everyone supporting nearly every kind of midwifery calling. Most also have school catalogs. Plus, some correspondece schools even offer annual workshops, online (Internet) support, newsletters, scholarships, extensive student resources and much more. The best part is, correspondence programs allow mothers with young children and family responsibilities the chance to further their education at home. The homeschooling movement has been proving for years the excellence of educating children at home. Now it is time to realize that it works for adults too!. Even if goals change, time invested in any type of education is never wasted. Continuing education of any kind is an important self investment and mental refreshment.

The following is not a complete list but it will get you started. Research a wide variety of programs to be sure that you get involved with one that really suites your ideals and perspective.

Michigan School of Traditional Midwifery
Licensed by the State of Michigan Office of Secondary Education, MSTM is the first school in North America to offer a Diploma of Traditional Midwifery . MSTM also offers an excellent 2 year distance academic learning program, midwifery skills workshops, quarterly newsletter - The CALLING, community outreach & more!
MSTM
P.O. Box 162
Mikado, Michigan 48745
phone/fax: (989) 736-6583
www.traditionalmidwife.org
e-mail: traditionalmidwife@hotmail.com

Yale School of Nursing Nurse-Midwifery Program
Yale School of Nursing
100 Church Street South
P.O. Box 9740
New Haven, Connecticut 06536-0740 USA
(203) 785-2389

MCH - Nurse-Midwifery Education Program
(Boston University's program.) Boston University School of Public Health Nurse Midwifery Education Program 80 East Concord St. Room A-207 Boston, MA 02118

Seattle Midwifery School
2524 16th Ave. S, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98144

Utah School of Midwifery
PO Box 412
Springville, UT 84062
801-489-4254
800-372-8255
(Catalog $7)

University of Michigan Nurse-Midwifery
400 North Ingalls, Rm 3320
Ann Arbor, MI 48109


For a more complete look at options in midwifery education, contact Midwifery Today for their new book about the subject. Research a wide variety of programs to be sure that you get involved with one that really suites your ideals and perspective.


STATE & NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Joining a state and national association midwifery will get you in touch with midwives in your area. They'll help you become educated on the issues of midwifery practice that apply to you. They may also host conferences/workshops throughout the year that you can participate in. These are wonderful opportunities to network and make friends.

American College of Traditional Midwives
With Women in Birth & Beyond - Preserving Freedom of Birth and the vocation of Traditional Midwifery.

Michigan Guild of Traditional Midwives

The Kentucky Alliance for the Advancement of Midwifery

MFOM - Massachusetts Friends of Midwives

Maryland Friends of Midwives

The Purple Midwifery Page - Some Ohio info here

Virgina Birthing Freedom

Tennessee Midwives Association

National and international organizations give you broader opportunities to expand your knowledge base of the global birthing community from a midwifery perspective.

North American Guild of Traditional Midwives


American College of Nurse Midwives

ASSOCIATION OF RADICAL MIDWIVES - England

Hunter Valley Midwives Association (HVMA) Australia

Midwifery Coalition of Nova Scotia Canada

Mother Time Belly Masking