I Give Up

[cali4niachef]

I’m sick and tired of trying to figure out how to make my GI Bill funds pay for my midwifery schooling. I’m fed up with trying to get a CPM program approved. I’m sickened at the thought of investing 6-7years of my life to become nurse-midwife when I just want to be a midwife, not a nurse. I’m so frustrated with it all. I feel like I am constantly running into road blocks and the path to becoming a midwife is painstakingly longer than necessary.

If I go the CNM route I will have to take out $32,000 in student loans for my Masters. Um, no thank you! I prefer as little debt as possible. I could take out a loan from a bank for a CPM distance learning program ($12,000) but then I still have nearly $20,000 in my GI Bill just sitting there – waiting for the government to collect because I didn’t use it. I refuse to let the government keep $20,000 of my money; that is the only good thing I got out of my 4 long years of being in the air force.


Therefore I’ve decided I’m just going to approach midwifery the “old-fashion” way DEM apprenticeship and not even bother with trying to get my GI Bill approved for a CPM distance learning program. However I will use my GI Bill to get my BA in business or something.



I have the perfect mentor in mind and she does take apprentices. I’ve met her once and talked to her on the phone a few times. She currently has one that is a senior apprentice and might be practicing solely in about a year. For those of you student midwives and practicing midwives, what is the best way to approach her to see if she will take me on as a student midwife? What type of questions should I ask about how she trains/educates her student midwives? When and if does she pay them? How many births and prenatals do they attend a month? What other questions should I ask?



Also I am not quite sure my husband understands as a CPM without medical back-up I will be practicing "underground". How do I get my husband, who is use to following all the rules, to be understanding and supportive of me practicing "illegally"? I know if I obtain back-up I will be restricted on what births I can and can not attend; that doesn't sit well with me. I feel I would not be advocating for women and babies in the way I want to and ought to.

What is the best way to safeguard myself and our assets from being sued? Do I have every client sign a contract? Will malpractice insurance protect me? Should I suggest every client see an OB "just in case" she becomes high-risk or needs to be transferred, if her insurance will cover it? If so should see one occasionally or as often as she sees me? Would that protect me?

Any and all thoughts are welcomed!


Thanks!

[Bellejar]

Ever thought about becoming an ND midwife? There is a program here in Kenmore, WA at Bastyr University. I think it would be way more fun than a CNM. http://www.bastyr.edu/

[cali4niachef]

Originally Posted by Bellejar

Ever thought about becoming an ND midwife? There is a program here in Kenmore, WA at Bastyr University. I think it would be way more fun than a CNM. http://www.bastyr.edu/

can you tell me about it? do they have a distance learning program?

i am a SAHM mom and can not relocate for midwifery schooling.

[MsBlack]

CAn't really advise on the ed/training route options, tho I do sympathise with wanting to be a mw, NOT a nurse first.

As for being sued, I severely doubt if you practice underground that there is any way to protect your assets from lawsuits. I do have clients sign a Statement of Responsibilities in which they affirm that they will take sole responsibility for their own decisions during pregnancy and birth--but really, this is about my hope of screening out those who do not already understand that point. I do not imagine that it will stop anyone (legally) from suing me if they become so inclined. Even if you WERE legal, it would probably be hard to make such a waiver 'stick' if a family became inclined to sue. I also sign a statement saying that I am responsible for my own actions and so forth, btw.

My screening process is fairly extensive, in terms of being sure prospective clients know what I can and cannot do, my philosophy of care, my expectations of family and what they might expect of me--all of that is written, and discussed. But that is not all, you could say my screening process is continuous--over the course of pregnancy, I am always alert to signals from them that tell me whether or not a family really is--or is not--taking responsibility for themselves in all ways large and small.

Because I am also underground, I've become quite leery of working with 'English' families anymore, and tend to stick with the Amish and Mennonite....because even the most self-responsible and well-intended of English fams can be pressured by family and/or the state to sue or initiate (or at least support) criminal action against me. The Plain populations have well-established religious and cultural tendencies against such actions....and they just seem to understand more clearly that life provides no guarantees, death and illness do occur to everyone, etc.

just my 2cts....good luck with all this! Sounds like you will have to take your time in finding the right balance, working things through with your dh, and so forth.

[Lynnette]

Why not still go to school and get some of your education there? I had much the same problem. Couldn't do a mw school b/c of the money, but as I looked at what classes I could take that would compliment a midwifery education at the local CC, I saw that there was no reason not to take A&P, chemistry, and others. I eventually did do all of the pre-requisites for a BSN in nursing while also doing my apprenticeship. It wasn't that hard to do. And since I did do that, I am continuing on to the BSN and CNM. That decision had more to do with my personal family situation than my need professionally since I love what I am doing with homebirth now.

It is ok do take just one step at a time and not get too far ahead of yourself. The time will pass in either way. As much as I wanted to have the whole path laid out in front of me at the beginning, I didn't and still waiver about what to do next. I just kept plodding along and it all came together.

[Mama2Xander]

Have you considered enrolling in AAMI, along with your apprenticeship? I doubt your GI bill would pay for it (actually, I don't know what a GI bill is, but I think I get the gist of it!), but it is much more affordable than most other DEM programs. It is an extremely comprehensive, challenging program, and I think you would get a lot out of it. Carla often has special discount offers for the tuition too.

www.ancientartmidwifery.com