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Who used a CPM for their homebirth?  

post #1 of 38
6/22/06 at 10:53am
Thread Starter 
I had a CNM last time (birthed at the hospital). I am a little nervous about this MW not being a nurse "just in case" something goes wrong. Thoughts?
post #2 of 38
6/22/06 at 12:13pm
I did. My midwife was just as knowlegable as nurses if not more so. And better yet, she didn't approach birth from a medical point of view

-Angela
post #3 of 38
6/22/06 at 12:18pm
I did. I wanted a qualified *midwife* just in case something went wrong.

I did use a CNM when I wanted to get some medical tests done. To me, that was the most appropriate use of medical personnel--for medical things like U/S and some tests.

Not for my birth--which was not a medical event.
post #4 of 38
6/22/06 at 12:18pm
It would be a good idea for you to go and talk about your concerns with the midwives you are considering for your next birth, and ask them what they do in emergencies.
post #5 of 38
6/22/06 at 12:19pm
I had a CPM too, for all three of my births, and she is wonderful!! She was VERY knowledgable and approached birth from a natural (not medical) point of view. I would choose a CPM over a CNM any day, but that is just my opinion and experience. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you might have, feel free to PM me
post #6 of 38
6/22/06 at 12:37pm
I had a DEM. Is that the same thing?
post #7 of 38
6/22/06 at 12:38pm
sorry double post
post #8 of 38
6/22/06 at 1:29pm
This one will be. I had a CNM to attend my previous two hospital births and we would have done a home birth with her if we hadn't moved to a totally different state. Here CNMs don't seem to do homebirths.

Deb
post #9 of 38
6/22/06 at 1:37pm
I had a cpm for all of my pgs. I think I would have a hard time having a CNM unless I knew for sure she wasn't medically minded. When I was studying to be a midwife I talked to some CNMs and one said she was a nurse first then became a midwife and it was like she had to unlearn all the things she learned when she became a nurse. For me I want hands off as much as possible. As far as knowledgable is concerned I think a cpm can handle any emergency. They are trained for it. I think you should talk about your concerns with any midwife you are looking to hire. Write down the questions and address each one till you are satisifed with the answer.
post #10 of 38
6/22/06 at 1:39pm
A DEM is a direct entry midwife, whereas a CPM is a certified professional midwife. My midwife team has one of each. Personally I think the differences between the 2 of them are quite sutble, but it may not be the case with all DEMs and CPMs.

My CPM went to a school of midwifery and has professional certification. My DEM went directly into apprenticing with a number of different midwives along her path to becoming a midwife herself. My DEM has a few more years of experience. They seem to really complement and balance each other out very nicely.

I specifically wanted a CPM or DEM because of the stereotype (earned or not) of the more medicalized approach that one might get with a CNM.
post #11 of 38
6/22/06 at 1:47pm
I did not. I had a licensed midwife who was well-trained and experienced. We had lots of complications with our births that she was at. And each situation she handled with no problems and with LESS intervention and risk to the newborn(s) than the hospital would have. One child needed to be suctioned on the perenium and she did it so lovingly and professionally. Later when I had twins they were breech, one a footling. One was not breathing at all and blue and not responsive and she completely handled it without ANY problems and with no risk or injury to newborn. She didn't panic, worry about losing her license, or worry about malpractice or hospital procedure. She was just with woman , a midwife, exceedingly well trained and her first priority was the health of my babies.

Within minutes our twins were all snuggled up and fine and I easily birthed the placenta and enjoyed my home, my family and my midwives who had become good friends. I had the opportunity with her to see how complications are handled and I have received neo-natal resuscitation from the person who trained her.

I know things would have been gravely different for my children had I chosen the hospital or a CNM. Their training and protocols are different, imo. But ultimately I trusted my gut with who to choose and you have to do that whether they are a CNM or not. Mama knows.

Peace.
post #12 of 38
6/22/06 at 2:43pm
Technically my midwife was a licensed midwife as TX has pecuilar rules about what they can call themselves....

-Angela
post #13 of 38
6/22/06 at 3:28pm
I saw a CPM for my 3rd baby and am also seeing her for my 4th. I had a CNM for my 2nd birth. Honestly, for me a CNM was way too interventive and her idea of birth was basically the same as an OB. She scheduled me for an induction for post dates at 10 days past my EDD with CYTOTEC.
I would never see a CNM ever again.
post #14 of 38
6/22/06 at 5:13pm
Hi Stephanie! My midwife is a CPM- I am confident she could have handled any emergency that a CNM could. It was important to me to have a CPM because of the training that is required of them.
post #15 of 38
6/22/06 at 5:50pm
I would definitely consider a CPM. THe only MW I could find in my area to do a homebirth was a CNM, and she was great. For example, I was almost two weeks "overdue" and she told me she'd "wait with me until the baby comes, as long as you're comfortable with the situation". She been a MW for 20 years and so has seen lots of normal birth...

I think the key is how long the MW has been working as a MW, no matter the certification (or not). I know some may disagree, but I just want a MW with lots and lots of experience, even if she happens to be a CNM!

Sure, some CNMs are medically minded, but not all...
post #16 of 38
6/22/06 at 7:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ladybugchild77
I had a CNM last time (birthed at the hospital). I am a little nervous about this MW not being a nurse "just in case" something goes wrong. Thoughts?
Heh...as other posters have said, being a nurse is a very different thing from being a CPM. I practiced as a homebirth midwife in Illinois for almost twenty years -- for part of that time I was both a CPM and an RN (working L&D at a local hospital). I can assure you that a CPM knows a whole lot more about caring for pregnant and birthing women in a homebirth setting than the VAST majority of RNs -- even those working as L&D nurses.

Also, I am pretty sure I know which CPM you are seeing. I have known her for many, many years and she is an excellent, conscientious midwife. You made a great choice!

Valerie
Illinois
post #17 of 38
6/22/06 at 8:48pm
Our DEM is an American Red Cross CPR & first aid instructor (and taught my ped's nurses)...

And we live only about 12 minutes from the closest ER...

We are in good hands...

Heather
post #18 of 38
6/22/06 at 8:48pm
I had a DEM with a CPM helping her. She does the 2 midwife approach KWIM.

Totally loved it
post #19 of 38
6/22/06 at 8:49pm
Plus my DEM in a Senior Midwife, 30 years in practice with over 1000 births ( including my 4 siblings ) under her belt.
I would have trusted her with everything.
post #20 of 38
6/23/06 at 1:26am
I forget whether the midwife I used for my first was a CPM or DEM. Lay midwife anyhow. I was completely comfortable. This time I'm using a CNM to try to better coordinate care with a back-up OB and the perinatologist for a potentially complicated pregnancy, and she gives me a pretty good vibe, so I think I can forgive the more medical background But I was entirely confident that my first midwife had competent emergency skills and the ability to regonize a situation that required them. You don't need to be a nurse for that.
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