The Journey
Let those closest to you know that you want to be a midwife. Use the established and credible childbirth, reproductive and breastfeeding programs that you have available in your community. If you are unaware of the programs that I am recommending, then look in the White and Yellow Pages for programs that can support you on your journey to becoming a midwife. Begin accompanying relatives or friends as a support person to all of their prenatal visits. Let the health care provider know that you are an aspiring midwife or midwife student. Ask them to show you how to palpate the baby, with the mother's permission of course.
Begin reading, go to the library and borrow books about reproduction, anatomy of the pelvis, conception, embryology, nutrition. Read the book Spiritual Midwifery, by Ina Mae Gaskin. Begin buying equipment so that you can learn to give prenatal care, such as stethoscope, sphygomometer (blood pressure cuff), a tape measure, a fetal scope.
Attend the Women Infant and Child (WIC) nutrition classes for pregnant women and postpartum women. Volunteer as a labor coach or doula for relatives or friends--if you don't have any, call the YWCA Teen program, many times they have clients who need a labor coach or even just someone to talk with. Attend at least three complete series of childbirth classes. Preferably, at least one of the series should be taught in hospital, home birth midwives should teach the other two.
Attend WIC and La Leche Leagues breastfeeding promotion training, and meet and talk with Planned Parenthood's contraception staff person. Though Black folks are an oral people, it has proved to be a necessity to document our experiences. So as you attend the various educational settings, I suggest that you buy a binder and fill it with 3 different colors and begin journaling about how you felt during the classes, what you observed, what you learned and your questions and the answers that you received.
Also organize and file all the handouts that you get so that you can read and study them at your leisure. Then you should begin looking into midwife schools whose philosophy appeals to you and begin your formal training.
You also need to decide if you want to prepare for the NARM tests, a state license, direct entry certification, or certified nurse midwife degree. Each educational track has its own unique road, different but equal.
Midwife Titles - Equal but Separate
Direct entry (or lay midwife): A woman who entered midwifery through training by an experienced midwife, a self led study program, and/or attending a private midwifery school.
Certified Midwife (CM): A midwife who has been certified by a recognized program. It requires clinical experience and competency demonstration by oral and written exams.
Licensed Midwife (LM): A midwife licensed by the state. A licensed midwife can sometimes bill Medicaid and other insurance. You must learn if your state provides a state license exam.
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM): CPM Certification validates entry-level knowledge, skills and/or experience vital to responsible midwifery practice according to the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).
Onnie Lee Logan, Grand Midwife
Author of "Mother Wit"
1910 - 1995
Contact ICTC
International Center for Traditional Childbearing
2823 N. Portland Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97217
Phone: 503-460-9324
Email ICTC: ictc@comcast.net
Email Shafia Monroe: sistahmidwife@msn.com
Donations
ICTC accepts donations all year long. We rely on your donations to provide the many services to help stop the premature deaths of babies, for midwives and those aspiring to become midwives, and much more. Please make checks payable to ICTC, PO Box 11923, Portland, OR 97211.
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