Frequently Asked Questions

What type of midwife are you?

My credential is CPM or Certified Professional Midwife. This means my training is focused directly on home birth and birth in low resource settings. This credential allows me to practice under the Licensed Midwife statute in the state of Wisconsin. The certifying body is the North American Registry of Midwives, also known as NARM

What other types of midwives are there?

The other types of midwives practicing in Wisconsin are Traditional Midwives, Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), and Lay Midwives. Traditional Midwives are specifically trained within a cultural setting that has historically utilized the midwifery model of care. These midwives do not typically utilize certifications or formal credentials, and spend vast amounts of time training in apprenticeship model. The Traditional Midwife label is often inappropriately used by people who do not come from cultures that require their Traditional Midwives to garner this level of experience. CNMs come from a nursing background and are trained in a hospital setting. This training is specific to the high resource facilities that hospitals provide, and they do not usually provide newborn care in that training model. Because of this, it can be difficult for a CNM to gain enough experience practicing in low resource or home birth settings without additional training from a midwife that has that experience. Lay Midwife is a term that is rarely used. It generally means anyone practicing midwifery without a formal training or credential, which limits the experience level and skill that person can provide at a birth.

How is home birth a safe option?

This question comes up frequently, and is important to ask any midwife you are thinking of hiring. Knowing their experience in home birth, training, collaboration with other providers, and their outcome record is important. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology states that home birth is safe as long as the provider is credentialed at a level equivalent to to International Confederation of Midwives standards, and that there is a supportive collaboration with hospital providers. It is up to you as the client to vet your midwife and ask the right questions for understanding the skill level that individual can bring to your birth.

What sets your practice apart from others?

A special aspect of my practice as a midwife is the years of cultivating positive relationships with other providers. I have a wide network of other midwives I can reach out to for consultation or collaboration, and hospital relationships that allow my clients a safe transfer of care if necessary. I offer over a decade of independent practice with hundreds of families served. One of my priorities is to create a safe space for my clientele, and build a caring and intimate relationship with them.

What questions should I be asking a midwife during an interview?

The Wisconsin Guild of Midwives offers a guide for questions to ask a midwife you are interested in getting to know.