Do I want to be a midwife? Help me decide!

[UmmSamiyah]

hi all!
I have been dead set on becoming a midwife for about 3 years now. but I am now getting a divorce and am not sure I would have the time or energy to jump up in the middle of the night to answer a call. I am not sure i want to do this anymore but I also don't know WHAT I want to do anymore. Can anyone tell me what it is like to be a midwife? like, is anyone single with kids?

[SamGroom]

I am not a midwife but I did use to have a job that required jumping up and rushing off in the middle of the night. For me it was very different than getting up for a fussy baby. I honestly believe that when you are doing what you love it is just different. You can some how function with little sleep. Like those first few weeks with your baby.

If this is what you have wanted then you will be able to find a way single mom or not. good luck.

[nashvillemidwife]

You've got to really love it. It's very hard at times. How old are your kids? What are you going to do for childcare? How are you going to react when your child is tugging at your sleeve and crying for mommy not to leave as you're trying to get out the door to a birth? Are you prepared to miss birthdays, school plays, Christmas morning with your family? I'm not trying to discourage you, but these are things you're going to be faced with. I think you already sense that and that's why you've asked.

[maxmama]

HAve you thought about joining a group practice? I could never be a solo practice midwife, but the two group midwifery practices we have work well together to cover birthdays, trade off holidays, etc. I plan to join a practice after graduation, and it will probably take awhile to find the right one, but I think it's worth it.

It's always hard to be a single mom, but I think it would be harder to be a single mom who wasn't able to follow her passion.