Starting to Feel Like a Midwife

558 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by rockportmidwife, Dec 5, 2008

rockportmidwife

Discussion Starter · Dec 4, 2008

Ok, this may sound totally silly. I passed my NARM in February. Since then, despite my efforts my business has just not gotten going. Course, I haven't had the funds to advertise heavily. I have still been assisting my former preceptor with at least one birth a month. A couple of weeks ago, I got my first client. I have an initial prenatal tomorrow with my second client. And yesterday I got to catch a baby. I live closer to one of my preceptor's clients. She wanted to be checked so I went over there. The baby arrived 45 minutes after I got there and 15 minutes before the other midwife and her new apprentice. It was so nice to be able to catch a baby again.

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rebirth

· #2 · Dec 4, 2008

that is great that your business is just starting up- I bet this is an exciting time!

Maybe try to enjoy this more relaxing time- it sounds like soon you'll be in the full swing of things and getting more and more clients, and you'll miss this little break.

ps- congrats on the fast catch yesterday! What a great beginning.

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Reha

· #3 · Dec 4, 2008

Rockportmidwife,

How awesome!

I think that you and I have a lot going on similarly.

I passed the narm this year as well, and just got my second client. And, we are both pregnant, I believe! (although your babe is due much sooner than mine). If you ever want to chat, I'd love to talk with someone else that is on a similar path (although we are in different states.

)

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Defenestrator

· #4 · Dec 4, 2008

Those first few catches are really sweet. It is nice to be trusted.

The midwives who trained me had 6 births their first year, as a partnership. They were hustling too. I saw them doing all of the stuff that midwives do to try to drum up business -- meet the midwives nights, giving talks, some advertising, etc. The second year they had maybe 18 or so, the third year 24, and the fourth year 30. What it takes sometimes is those first few clients talking nicely about you. So be a good midwife, but consider really, really spoiling those first few women on top of it! A few extra visits, a meal or treat postpartum, a few friendly phonecalls checking in, etc. all make for glowing reviews.

I had 10 women the first year I took over an existing practice, 18 the second, 22 the third, and look to have about 30 next year. That's perfect for me -- I don't want to be too crazy because I'm parenting little kids and doing other work. I think a slow start is really common in homebirth midwifery, but the women will come and the first time one of them comes back for another baby with you it will be really awesome too.

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rockportmidwife

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 5, 2008

The midwife who was my preceptor had 3 her first year. Back then the law was different though and she was able to advertise as a student and even charge for her services. She said it doubled the next two years. Now she is up to something like 25 per year. She also ends up with 1-3 empty months though. So far she doesn't have any for next year and her business is really picking up. She has been a midwife for almost 11 years. She also has the advantage of having a website up before most people even had internet. You look up TX midwives and she is on the first page.

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rockportmidwife

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 5, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reha

I think that you and I have a lot going on similarly. . And, we are both pregnant, I believe! (although your babe is due much sooner than mine). If you ever want to chat, I'd love to talk with someone else that is on a similar path (although we are in different states.

)

My surprise is due next month. And I am open to chatting as well.

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