Midwifery in the US

Chow46 has kindly agreed for me to cross post her experience/process of becoming a midwife in the US. Not sure if it would be useful to anyone interested in the US, but if anyone has anymore info State-side; please feel free to add to it.

The process is different depending on what state you live in. Here in Kansas, there are no requirements, no need for licensing, etc. I guess technically I could go out now and advertise as a midwife. Of course, I'd never do that. Right now, I am studying the Midwife-to-Be program and I will (eventually) find a midwife to apprentice with for however long she thinks I need. I am sure that different midwives have different ideas on what you need to do to become one yourself.

I know some other states require that you take an accredited course, and Lisa is working on getting it accredited in different states. Some states (I think) make it nearly impossible to accredit, which I believe must have some ulterior motives. Midwifery and home birth is not well accepted in a lot of places still, and there are states where it's illegal to practice traditionally, you must be a nurse practitioner. And even then, with insurance and everything, it is near impossible for a nurse midwife to do homebirths legally. It's very politically charged. Here in Kansas, insurance doesn't have to cover home birth, so women who choose traditional midwives pay out of pocket. Even though it's still a lot less expensive than hospitals and doctors, a woman delivering in the hospital that has insurance won't have to pay as much out of pocket for that option than with a mw.

We're fighting for change. It's a difficult uphill battle and to be honest, I don't think many in the industry are willing to look at facts and admit it is a safe alternative, because if they did, goodness, women would be able to see just how much danger they put themselves into and demand better care (which means less money for the industry). There are good things happening, such as in my state where mw's are not considered part of the medical board (so they can't be sued as practicing as a doctor without a license) but in other states, mw's are still being hunted and prosecuted. A woman in Pennsylvania recently was taken to court because she lost a baby (I think it was only the third baby lost in over 25 years of practicing). This woman served the Amish and Plain communities. Even though it was determined that the baby did not die due to anything she did, she is still being shown as irresponsible and incapable of delivering babies. It's very sad.

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Thank you for posting that. I am considering moving to the US in a few years after i qualify (Hopefully) as my husband is american and wandered about the job situation. I have looked into it but not in great depth, as from my knowledge nearly all pregnancies are doctor led and intervention is commonly used, due to the fact that the more medication they use and surgery they perform the more money they can claim from the insurance company.

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Applied for 2008; Coventry; BCU; DMU &Wolves

midwifewannabe, hi!! If you move to the US, depending on where you live, you'd have to find out what the state requirements are. In my state, to practice as a traditional midwife, you don't have to be licensed. Not sure what other states have that policy (it's confusing to try and keep track of them all!). As a traditional midwife, you would not be able to practice in a hospital, it would be homebirths or free-standing birth center if you were lucky to live in an area that was led by midwives. One of my dreams is to start a free-standing birth center in my city when I become qualified. We NEED more midwives desperately. If you think you'll be moving to the states, let me know where and I'll ask the student midwives group I'm in here if they have any personal experience or know a good resource for you!

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Sasha, Doula, Mama, Wife, Student Midwife

Three little wild boys and one soldier husband

Thamks Chow46.
If we ever moved to the US would initially be on the west coast ie firstly Oregon or maybe Californa. Any help or advice you could give me in preparation would be excellent.

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Applied for 2008; Coventry; BCU; DMU &Wolves

Just thought I would bring this post back into the lime light as there are a few of you on here interested in moving to America, thought you would find this interesting x

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Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)

Thanks Tracy I am definately looking at moving to Florida somewhere down the line so would be very grateful if anyone has any info or advice they can pass on.

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