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6.2 Licensed Or Certified (Direct Entry) Midwives




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This article is from the Midwifery FAQ, by cnmpat@aol.com (Pat Sonnenstuhl) with numerous contributions by others.

6.2 Licensed Or Certified (Direct Entry) Midwives

Licensed Or Certified (Direct Entry) Midwives practice in a home or
birth center setting. They can receive their training through a
combination of formal schooling, correspondence courses, self study
and apprenticeship.

Although this is a non-nurse entry route for midwifery, nurses are not
excluded. These midwives must show that they meet or exceed the minimum
requirements for the practice of midwifery by documenting experience and
passing both skills and didactic exams. In the United States, direct-
entry midwifery is legally recognized in 29 states. Licensure,
certification or registration is available in 17 states and Medicaid
reimbursement is available 6 states.

Licensed or certified midwives usually have a working relationship with
the State Health Departments, do sign birth certificates, have lab
accounts and usually have doctor back-up and emergency procedures lined
up. Licensed or certified midwives are reimbursed by many insurance
companies for birth center and home births.

There is a movement in the United States towards Professional Midwifery: a
process through which those aspiring to be midwives can proceed and at the
end be called a CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE (CPM).

The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) is the first certifying
body to offer both a national examination and a national validation
process for professional direct-entry midwives, and CNMs who assist with
birth at home, who come to their practices through multiple educational
routes. NARM has been offering a registry examination of entry-level
midwifery knowledge since 1991. NARM has just completed a pilot project
for a certification process which validates skills, knowledge and
experience.

This certification is now being offered nationwide and the new
credential is for Certified Professional Midwife. The CPM has
successfully completed prescribed studies in midwifery accomplished
through a variety of educational routes. The examination is based on
Core Competencies established by the Midwives' Alliance of North America
(MANA) <Manainfo@aol.com> the national organization representing
midwives. The CPMs then practice in accord with the MANA Standards and
Guidelines for the Art and Practice of Midwifery.

 

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