~About Midwifery~

The word midwife simple means "with woman". There are many types of midwives. Midwives are specialists in normal pregnancy and birth.  Following are definitions of the different types of midwives.

(DEM) Direct-Entry Midwife
Direct-entry midwives, who are licensed in some states, are not required to become nurses before training to be midwives. The Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council (MEAC) is currently accrediting direct-entry midwifery educational programs and apprenticeships in the United States. The legal status for Direct-entry midwives varies from state to state; they practice most often in birth centers and in homes.  To find out the status of Direct-entry midwives in your state go to the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) website at http://mana.org/index.html.

 (LM) Florida Licensed Midwife
Florida recognizes the midwifery model of care, and acknowledges midwifery as an independent profession, separate from obstetrics and nursing.  To become an LM, a woman must  undertake three years of academic and clinical education at a MEAC accredited school, covering the core competencies of MANA (Midwives Alliance of North America) and the ACNM (American College of Nurse-Midwives).  As a part of the clinical education she is required to intern under other midwives and must attend a minimum of 75 deliveries, with 50 labor and delivery managements. She will then sit for the NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) Exam to become a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) and a Licensed Midwife. Practicing under Florida Statute Chapter 467, Florida's Licensed Midwives are serving women and families in birth centers and homes, providing safe and satisfying care.  An LM is an autonomous maternity care provider for low-risk, healthy women. 

 

(LM) Idaho Licensed Midwife

Idaho states in House Bill No 185, Chapter 54, Title 54, Idaho Code. 54-5401., that “the practice of midwifery has been a part of the culture and tradition of Idaho since before pioneer days and that for personal, religious and economic reasons some Idaho citizens choose midwifery care.” And that its purpose, “is to preserve the rights of families to deliver their children in a setting of their choice, to provide additional maternity care options for Idaho’s families, to protect the public health, safety and welfare and to provide a mechanism to assure quality care.”

 

According to Rules of the Idaho Board of Midwifery IDAPA 24.26.01., as of July 1, 2010 licensure in the state of Idaho requires that a midwife currently be certified as a CPM by NARM or a successor organization, has successfully completed Board-approved MEAC accredited courses in the treatment of shock, IV therapy, pharmacology, and suturing specific to midwifery.  Idaho's Licensed Midwives are serving women and families in birth centers and homes, providing safe and satisfyinng care.  An LM is an autonomous maternity care provider for low-risk, healthy women. http://www.ibol.idaho.gov

 

(RM) Colorado Registered Midwife
Colorado recognizes the World Health Organization model of midwifery, acknowledging midwifery as an independent profession, separate from obstetrics and nursing. Midwives are specialists in normal pregnancy and birth. Over 80 percent of all babies in the world are safely born into the caring, skillful hands of a midwife. A Colorado Registered Midwife is a direct-entry midwife who has completed academic and clinical education by either graduating from a MEAC accredited midwifery educational program or has obtained a “substantially equivalent” education approved by the Director of Registrations.  As a part of the clinical education she is required to intern under other midwives and must attend a minimum of 40 deliveries, with 20 labor and delivery managements.  She will then sit for the NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) Exam to become a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) and a Registered Midwife. Practicing under Colorado Statutes Title 12, Article 37 (§ 12-37-106(6)(a), C.R.S.) Midwives are serving women and families in homes, providing safe and satisfying care.

 

(CPM) Certified Professional Midwife
A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is an independent practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the Midwives Model of Care. The NARM certification process recognizes multiple routes of entry into midwifery and includes verification of knowledge and skills and the successful completion of both a Written Examination and Skills Assessment. The CPM credential requires training in out-of-hospital settings.

(CNM) Certified Nurse-Midwives
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is educated in both nursing and midwifery. After attending an educational program accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives Certification Council (ACC), she must then pass the ACC examination and can be licensed in the individual states in which they practice most often in hospitals and birth centers.