Doula or Midwife?

Question

I am thinking about pursuing a career in both and I want to know how likely you guys would be in choosing either one of these? Since I am ttc and I love babies and pregnancy I thought these would be a great opportunity for me as a career. I am still in college so changing my field is quite easy. Also if you do chose a midwife would you choose a CNM or a CPM? Thank you guys for your feedback! Baby dust to all✨✨✨

Answer

Thank you guys soo much! You have all really helped me in deciding what path I want to pursue. I wish all of you luck in your ttc journey.

Answer

@Savanna I did a training through ICEA. With a doula/childbirth educator I had met before.  I went this route after speaking with a CPM who said it would be a good route to see if you like birth work before committing to a CNM degree. I plan on applying in December for a CNM which would give me the option if working in a hospital, a birth center or home births, although I do no completely agree with the medicalizatiin if birth I think the knowledge is important to have. I would look for a doula program that allows shadowing or mentoring.

Answer

I'm a doula and as a busy mother of 2 with an already established (but part-time) career as an occupational therapist, this seemed like a good balance since I love birth. 
​I had thought of becoming a midwife (even got accepted to midwifery school before realizing that that career path would probably mean giving up my current career which I love too). 
​Becoming a doula took me 6 months in all and I find it fabulously rewarding to work with the laboring family and work the medical professionals.

Answer

So would you guys suggest going the CNM route or going CPM and just maybe getting an associates in nursing or maybe something vocational like LVN? I only have like 26 credits which are all basics, so changing my focus in college is extremely easy right now.

Answer

Alyson- how was your training and did you become certified and if so then who did you get certified through?

Answer

Ok it's important to understand the difference. A doula is there for EMOTIONAL support throughout pregnancy and labor. They are your calming voice to coach you through labor. They are NOT medical professionals unless they also hold some other form of medical degree. 
​a midwife is a nurse. Either a certified midwife or a nurse practitioner (which is a masters level degree) The difference here is that they are a medical professional who has been trained for emergencies etc. 
​Everyone has an opinion on this subject and it's really up to the individual. Personally, I am a nurse, and I don't want someone who isn't a medical professional around me during my labor or around my baby. I work in a neonatal intensive care unit though and I've seen the worst of the worst. It's completely a personal decision and what you need/want out of the persons services. 
​

Answer

The doctor's office I go to has a large group of Certified Nurse Midwives. They were highly recommended to me by the doctor at my pregnancy confirmation appointment, so I scheduled my first appointment with them. I think they are in very high demand.

Answer

Thanks for posting this question, as I am also considering a career in midwifery. Just finished doula training. I'm curious for others answer :)

Doula or Midwife?

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