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Would you move for midwifery?  

post #1 of 21
6/26/07 at 6:52pm
Thread Starter 
My family recently moved from Texas where the midwifery laws are very friendly to NC where CPMs are illegal. We may be about to have an opportunity to move back to Texas, a job offer for my dh, a good job offer. He already has a good career so it's not like we have to go or anything like that, it would be purely optional and mostly my decision. The bonus for me would be that I could go back to being a direct-entry midwife and not have to go to school to become a CNM. I don't even have my RN so it will be a long road for me.

I don't really like Texas but I love North Carolina. I also don't want to have to give up traditional midwifery in exchange for possibly having to have a hospital based practice here.

So, would you move away from family and to a state you don't exactly love so you could practice?
post #2 of 21
6/26/07 at 7:42pm
I think it's so personal - what is the likelihood of being prosecuted for practicing? To me, there are probably more women in NC that need homebirth midwifery because of the legal issue than in TX.

But I do know what it's like to live in a place that you're not happy with.
post #3 of 21
6/26/07 at 8:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
what is the likelihood of being prosecuted for practicing?
Who can really say? There are more issues at play WRT my personal feelings of safety here that I would rather not get into on a public board. I'm sure more women here do need the service of midwives but I'm not willing to risk going to jail at this point in my life.

Also the scope of practice is wider in Texas, we could provide lab tests for those who were interested as well as do well woman care. That's not likely here now or in the near future.

Mainly I miss the community of midwives in Texas, that is not to say there isn't a community here, I just miss the community I "grew up" in.
post #4 of 21
6/27/07 at 12:11am
I would move in a heartbeat to follow my path...but it's not that easy when I take into account my husbands job, our 4 kids in a great school, etc, etc, etc. My time and season will come, and I will do my best to bloom where I am planted for now.
post #5 of 21
6/27/07 at 12:15am
A friend of mine is moving to NC and I was hoping she was heading towards a mw-friendly state, but not so.

I was actually talking to my mom earlier this week... if dh goes through another job lay-off, I'll likely be pushing to move to a mw-friendly state if there are the right jobs to be had. I just think I'd like to find an apprenticeship in a state where I don't have to worry about potential persecution. Sigh.
post #6 of 21
6/27/07 at 12:21am
Yes, I would move if I lived in a illegal state. But I would have to take into account my husband's job. If that wasn't a factor, I would definitely move.

can you move to a different part of Texas you might like more? My husband lived in Texas (he would like to move back, but his job is better up here in PA) and says there is a huge difference in different parts.
post #7 of 21
6/27/07 at 12:52am
No, I wouldn't and I won't.

It's extremely important to me to practice here, in my home. I'm a 6th generation Floridian, I am very involved and concerned about my community.

For me, it's about school, really.... I can't attend any of the approved schools because of location. Or, I could drive 3 hours each way. Probably not. I could move, but that's not happening. I could move to a better state, like Oregon, but I simply cannot. I love my state. I love my home. My siblings are here. My community is here. It sounds like a mantra, doesn't it?

I really want to be a midwife. And Florida is making it so damn hard.
post #8 of 21
6/27/07 at 1:12am
yes, you said that you would have community and legality and DH would have a livelihood - sounds good to me.
I grew up in the woods myself and have spent most of my adult life in deserts -if it is the environment- I don't know that can be hard for some people- there is some land bonding that people do and that just isn't easily erased or changed- there may be things you can do to move toward liking the environment or even making a small personal micro climate by using construction or landscaping design around your home to help
post #9 of 21
6/27/07 at 7:53am
This is so close to my own situation! NO dh/work to consider, just being in an illegal state and the considerations of moving to a legal state are compounded by the fact that family is here and I LOVE the forest here....yes, I've been here for most of the last 30 yrs and am definitely bonded with this land. I've been considering a move now for nearly 3yrs; so far it has not been financially feasible anyway, but somehow I think all that would fall into place if I truly decided on it.

So, I don' t have advice but I do have a lot of sympathy for your dilemma!
post #10 of 21
6/27/07 at 10:52am
Thread Starter 
Compounding my situation is that this job offer for dh isn't just a job offer, it's pretty much a once in a lifetime chance for him and it's at a company that will most likely make us rich some day. It's his dream job and I know he wouldn't ask me to walk away from my dream job (moving here was my idea) but he also won't ask me to leave NC again.


Quote:
I really want to be a midwife. And Florida is making it so damn hard.
{{{hugs}}} I know exactly how you feel and it sucks. They make it really hard there.


Quote:
I grew up in the woods myself and have spent most of my adult life in deserts -if it is the environment- I don't know that can be hard for some people- there is some land bonding that people do and that just isn't easily erased or changed- there may be things you can do to move toward liking the environment or even making a small personal micro climate by using construction or landscaping design around your home to help
All of that is really true and the idea to make a micro climate is awesome.

Quote:
This is so close to my own situation! NO dh/work to consider, just being in an illegal state and the considerations of moving to a legal state are compounded by the fact that family is here and I LOVE the forest here....
It sounds a lot like my situation! I LOVE Duke Forest and all of the trees and nature and the amazing climate here. The climate in Texas is horrid, just horrid.
post #11 of 21
6/27/07 at 12:51pm
Hmmm. Sounds like if the climate was different you wouldn't have a decision? I had a decision like that recently and decided against moving. I think now, though, that if I had it to make again, I'd go. If its the chance of a lifetime, andyou'll get rich off of it? Save up and retire in NC. I'm way into gardening, and never really thought about creating a micro climate, but it could be completely do-able. A little water, some pine trees, and LOTS of plants...I could be happy, I think. Great idea!
post #12 of 21
6/28/07 at 5:17pm
I would move, but I am Texas biased. Depending on where you would be living in Texas, there are areas with major trees. There is even a National Forest within 30 minutes of my house.

The advantages of practicing midwifery legally, openly, and supported by a community of other midwives along with a dream job for your DH sounds ideal to me. Good luck with your decision.
post #13 of 21
6/28/07 at 8:20pm
This sounds like an odd question- but are you close to any of the state borders? I live within 45 minutes or less of crossing into two states other than my own. Having the extra options should I ever need it makes it easier on me.

You must follow your heart. The idea of being a catalyst for change where you currently are sounds intriguing. But as a mother of small children I can understand where you're coming from with regards to that. Find midwives around you and ask them about the climate. See what insight they have to offer
post #14 of 21
7/1/07 at 12:22am
Come back, come back!!!!

Seriously, I know what you mean about the climate and lack of trees. I grew up in Upstate NY, and I get homesick for just some real day-to-day nature.

Tough choices. If you did come back, would you be in the same area? Be my neighbor and come assist at me with births from time to time?
post #15 of 21
7/1/07 at 1:42am
We're currently considering this ourselves. Where we live midwives aren't illegal, they're just practically non-existant. I know we could move to a different area of Colorado and be fine, but we're considering moving back to Phoenix instead because the midwifery community there is so much better. I want to be a midwife and I know that won't happen here in Pueblo.

Not quite the same situation, but yeah... I would do it in your situation too, in a heartbeat.
post #16 of 21
7/1/07 at 11:38am
Well,
I'm not a midwife, but part of the reason my husband and I are moving to New Hampshire is because of the Birth choice opportunities there. I am terrified to give birth out here on Long Island, because your options are either Hospital, Hospital run birth center, or homebirth (out of pocket) and with a slim choice of midwives. Plus, the hospitals/doctors they have as backup are less than desireable due to insureance politics.
I would absolutely move to have better health practices and options...so I can see moving to practice what you love doing freely!

Good luck!
post #17 of 21
7/1/07 at 10:07pm
Thread Starter 
Hey! Someone I know!

We would go back right where we were, I think. We liked that area a lot. And please, I will be begging numbers off of you, lol, I still need primaries if I'm going to sit the NARM.

We're still talking about it, dh has an interview next week.

Complicating matters is that this job is a HUGE opportunity for dh and one day it will make us millionaires. Sigh.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DallasMidwife View Post
Come back, come back!!!!

Seriously, I know what you mean about the climate and lack of trees. I grew up in Upstate NY, and I get homesick for just some real day-to-day nature.

Tough choices. If you did come back, would you be in the same area? Be my neighbor and come assist at me with births from time to time?
post #18 of 21
7/1/07 at 11:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheena View Post
Complicating matters is that this job is a HUGE opportunity for dh and one day it will make us millionaires. Sigh.
Go! A midwife needs money! Midwifery is NOT my hobby, I do it b/c I love it, and for the money, but there are a lot of start-up and training costs.
post #19 of 21
7/2/07 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apricot View Post
Go! A midwife needs money! Midwifery is NOT my hobby, I do it b/c I love it, and for the money, but there are a lot of start-up and training costs.

LOL. We do OK now, we're not hurting or anything. I'm lucky enough to have all of my equipment already and I would go back and partner up with my preceptor and good friend.

It's mainly just leaving an area I feel like was good for my kids (my son did so well in school he made it into the Gifted program vs. his school in Texas where they wanted to hold him back a year) and leaving my family. Sucks.
post #20 of 21
7/2/07 at 3:54pm
Come to Michigan and I'll give you primary's!! I miss Texas alot so I would go back there - but I'm the type who is willing to travel to family and forrests as long as I could be a midwife where I live...
Good luck sista!!
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