Steps to Becoming a Certified Midwife

Midwifery is one of the world's oldest professions. The modern midwife in the United States does much more than just delivering babies. More women are choosing the more natural road to motherhood by choosing the care of a midwife, who often assist mothers in the process of a natural birth. If you have the desire to learn more about this age-old occupation, this article will show you the steps you can take to become educated as a Certified Nurse-Midwife.

So what, exactly, does a modern midwife do? A Midwife does much more than assist the pregnant woman with the delivery of her baby. While that seems to be enough in itself, a midwife's job involves the complete care of the pregnant woman, from gynecological care and management of the pain of labor and recovery, to assistance with breastfeeding and the care of the newborn. Midwives also have the authority to write prescriptions for medications needed in their practice.

Many midwives help with home births, but can also assist births in hospitals or birthing centers. Some midwives attempt to make the birthing experience as natural as possible, with a minimal amount of medical intervention, such as episiotomies, Cesareans, and epidurals, but know when a doctor's or hospital's help is needed.

To become a midwife, there are a few things you will need to know. By the year 2010, a graduate degree will be necessary to enter into the practice of midwifery. To become a Certified Nurse-Midwife, You must earn your Master's Degree in Nursing, Midwifery, or another related field, and be certified and licensed by the American College of Nurse Midwives. If you are a certified midwife, but without a graduate degree by 2010, You will still be recognized by the ACNM, and not be required to get your graduate degree.

Many midwives learn their skill through apprenticeship with a practicing midwife. A mix of a graduate degree, couples with practical apprenticeship with an experienced midwife, seems to be the best rout to take on you're career path to becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Midwifes are valuable to any community, as the provide care to mothers and children in the most holistic manner as possible. Midwives are also credited with helping lower the mortality rate of both mothers and infants in the past few decades. If you are thinking about becoming a midwife for your livelihood, consider carefully the impact you will be making on the lives of others, as delivering children into the world is a huge responsibility only the most caring and competent individuals should undertake.