Don't know how I'm going to be a midwife

[minkajane]

I just don't know how it's going to be possible. DF and I are barely making ends meet as it is. No way can I go 1-3 years without working, much less come up with tuition money for a school. I can't get any more student loans without a cosigner, which I don't have.

Is there any way I can still be a midwife?

[Defenestrator]

Well, you can keep going to school until you get some kind of nursing degree, even an LPN certification. Then you go to work and let your employer pay for your tuition to get to the next step. RN, then BSN, then CNM. Once you get that first certification, it is usually quite possible to go to school part time and get to your goal on your own timetable.

[Georgetown HB Mom]

Hi,

I am doing the NARM PEP process to become a midwife. It is free. Basically you read the recommended reading list and then do an apprenticeship for a minimum of 12 months and then you can sit for the NARM. I work on the weekends and do my apprenticeship during the week. So far I have not even missed one birth due to working. If you have any other questions about the process feel free to PM me.

Good luck on your journey,

Lisa

[MidwifeErika]

I understand. We were barely making ends meet (still) when I took on an apprenticeship. I have done some doula work and postpartum doula work too supplement our income to cover some of the expenses. Right now I am looking at probably needing to get a parttime job for awhile to pay for some more expenses I have coming up. I figure I will get a job I don't care about and so if I have to leave for a birth, then I have to leave for a birth and they will have to deal with it or fire me, I don't really care. For a long while I was donating plasma to pay my way, but I had a very scary allergic reaction and haven't done it since. Right now we are planning on moving into a craptastic apartment to save some money as well so that I can continue this path. It feels like the smart thing to do in the long run for my family.


Here is the thing though, if it isn't the right time for your family or you to do this, that is ok! Midwifery isn't going anywhere. You can begin with self study, get all the books you can through the library and read them like crazy. Check out your local hospital library to page through ob texts and nursing texts. take workshops or classes as it is possible for you. Eventually you will know when it is the right time for you to jump in.

There are lots of paths you can take as well. Look into all of them and understand what each path means. Look into all the educational options and weigh out what you feel would be best for you.

[kaleidoscopeeyes]

I'm in a similar boat. Financially, this is going to be very tough for me. I'm planning on just working like crazy the next year or two (maybe get a second job). Pay down my debt and put some money in savings. During this time I'm going to work on getting certified as a doula. Hopefully, when it comes time to start a program, I will be able to supplement my income with doula work. I also have the option of demoting myself at my current job. That would give me a lot more flexibility as far as hours (of course it would also cut my pay).

But it's tough, I live in one of the most expensive cities in the country (and have no desire to move). I am single, so have no one else to help me financially (not that that always solves the problem either). I'm scared all the time that I just won't be able to do it, but I don't let those thoughts run me, I know I have to do this.

I rambled, sorry. But you're not alone

[wombjuice]

Lisa (Georgetown HB MOM), I am interested in the NARM's PEP program. I downloaded all the forms the other day, but haven't had time to look at them. I am totally not sure if I want to become a midwife...right now, I'm training to be a childbirth mentor with Birthing From Within, but I am also studying to be an herbalist, and midwifery has been calling to me for a long time now (as much as I try to ignore it, it won't go away!). So I'm basically just looking into things for future reference...

So anyway! What I'm wondering is...you really do not need any formal education before you start your apprenticeship? You just need to read the reading list? Then, when you start your apprenticeship (and how on earth do you find a mentor to apprentice with?), are there fees involved, or is it free to apprentice with someone? And when you successfully complete your apprenticeship, you sit the NARM exam, and if you pass, you are a CPM?

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

[coobabysmom]

Yeah, I am in the same boat too... I haven't figured out how to quit my job and go to school fulltime. (I keep dreaming of winning the lottery, but that's so NOT helpful.) Dh & I rely on my paycheck plus I carry the family insurance. Labor doula work and studying are very satifying but my full time job gets in the way...I am anxious to move closer toward midwifery.