If you are using a midwife - CNM or CPM?

[Ambivalent Dreams]

If you are using a midwife, is she a CNM or a CPM? Does it matter to you if your midwife is a CNM or a CPM? Just curious.

[macandcheese]

I'm using a CNM, but I didn't have a real preference over what certification my midwife had. I talked to CNMs and CPMs, and just went with who was available and who I liked the best.

I have heard that CNMs can be more mainstream in terms of testing, regulations, etc.—but mine is actually the crunchiest of all the midwives I spoke to. I love her!

One bonus is that I think my insurance will more readily reimburse my costs for a CNM, since that particular degree makes her more legit in their eyes .

[Earthy Mama]

I am using a CNM. In my state, midwives cannot attend VBACs without OB oversight. Since no OBs in my area work with CPMs, CNM it is!

[lillymonster]

I am using CNM, for a vbac in a hospital. We have cpm in my state but I prefer to go the hospital route for my vbac. They have OB oversight, but I have heard it's very hands off.

[ein328]

CNM. My insurance won't cover a CPM. If I had to pay out of pocket, though, I'd definitely consider a CPM.

[nia82]

CNM - my insurance doesn't cover CPMs, plus they have just been legalized in my state, so there are none yet. The ones from the neighbor state cannot travel up yet since the regulations aren't in place yet... And, after all, the CNMs I picked run their own birthing center (freestanding), so it will be pretty much intervention free. The founder worked as homebirth midwife before opening up the center.

[lyterae]

CPM - My insurance will not cover it, however the midwives that do homebirths are licensed CPM. The CNMs in my state work with OB oversight.

[jennica]

I am using a CPM this time and having a homebirth. Last time I used a group practice of CNM's for a hospital birth, and I had bad experiences with 3 of them. The one who attended my birth was extremely interventative and didn't take no for an answer. I will never go the hospital route again, and there are very few homebirth CNM's in my state. I was looking for a hands-off midwife, and all the names that came up were CPM's.

[annablue]

CPM. My insurance doesn't cover any midwives - a hospital birth with a CNM is completely unaffordable, but we can afford to pay out of pocket for my CPM at a birth center.

[MaerynPearl]

CNM with an assistant CPM so I could end up with either. Love them both they are both very caring and awesome (and well educated) women.

So it doesn't matter to me which I end up with, I will be comfortable. The N or P is not as important to me as her own personality and approach to labor.

[Angela512]

CPM...the CNMs here are only allowed to practice under a doctor and must adhere to the doctor's rules. Being that most of the doctors in my area are "mandatory c-section with twins" I am not comfortable going that route.

My CPM delivered my last baby. I love her and since I would have to pay a bunch of money out of pocket for insurance, anyways, I might as well just pay my CPM and get the birth I want.

[donutmolly]

I've used a CPM for my 3 births. My decision was based more on the midwife and her personal experience and qualifications than their "title". For homebirth, my options were pretty much limited to CPM's -- and I'm thankful that I live in a state that requires insurance to pay them!

[honeybee]

MI is an unregulated state, so there are no licensing laws regarding mws here. In my city, there are several homebirth options: one CNM who does hb, two CPMs, and two experienced mws who do not have either credential. One has ben practicing for years, and I believe had a credential at one time, but as she has cut back her practice, chooses not to keep up with the paperwork. The other one was licensed in another state, which did not require the CPM for licensure, but has other criteria. I would feel confident birthing with any of them: they are all competent and experienced. And my friends who use them always rave about "their" midwife. Actually, I think the uncredentialed mw has the biggest fan club, lol! They are all wonderful ladies. Who you choose is more a matter of personal compatibility. I happen to be using a CPM.

There are different training/education routes for CNMs vs. CPMs, but it totally depends on the individual mw, and I wouldn't make a judgement based on the credential.

[russsk]

I had a CNM with DS's birth, and this time went for a CPM. The title doesn't matter too much to me, I just went with who felt right. CPMs aren't licensed in my

[COgirl19]

I have been seeing a CNM and have loved it, but whether or not it's CNM or CPM doesn't matter to me. It's their birthing/prenatal care philosophy that matters. I found a CNM practice that is very natural/low intervention minded and independent from an OB practice but I have heard a lot of CNMs are not that way. So really, I would have to interview and test the waters first either way.

[Family4Christ]

I'm using an OB this time, but I used a CPM with my dd. She was not covered by insurance. CNMs are, but are more medically-minded in general and I didn't want that.

[babyjelly]

Neither, for this birth. I'm using a DEM who is A.MA.ZING. My last birth was with a rather medically minded CPM. CNMs cannot do homebirths in my state.
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[47chromosomes]

Well, we did not choose our HB midwives based on CPM or CNM, we made our decision based on experience, expertise, and connection with their style of care and personalities, and ended up with two CPM's. Of course our hospital back-up practice is CNM's and a couple of OB's. I like our hospital CNM's just as much, and if they were practicing HB, I would feel very comfortable with them as well. Gosh, I feel lucky to have all these positive people caring for me.

[AustinMom]

CNM certification is more work in a hospital setting, than a CPM. I use a CPM and LOVE her, she has no interest in becoming a CNM as she is super crunchy and she likes the 'sacredness' of a CPM.

I interviewed 9 MWs before choosing, some CPM, CNM, a birthing center CNM, etc. I did get the feel that the CNMs were more interested in all the protocols and such. But who knows, it IS all about who you click with. Some women feel safer with an OB, some feel safer with a MW in a hospital, etc, it just depends on personality and birth setting.

[AmaraMonillas]

Both! My primary midwife is a CPM who I nanny for. She works with another CPM and a CNM (who started the practice) who can transfer with patients to the hospital. Since I also do child care for/have gotten to know the CNM, hopefully she will be the one coming to assist during delivery. The CNM is one of only 2 CNM's in the Seattle area who attends home births.
Both my insurance and medicaid (which I have as secondary) will pay for homebirths with licensed midwives