I don't know how hard it is to become one, but here a few choices of Midwifes!
Certified Nurse-Midwife
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are licensed healthcare practitioners educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery. They provide primary healthcare to women of childbearing age including: prenatal care, labor and delivery care, care after birth, gynecological exams, newborn care, assistance with family planning decisions, preconception care, menopausal management and counseling in health maintenance and disease prevention. CNMs attend over 10 percent of the births in the United States. 96 percent of these births are in hospitals.
Certified Midwife
A certified midwife (CM) is an individual educated in the discipline of midwifery, who also possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Like CNMs, the CM provides primary healthcare to women of childbearing age including: prenatal care, labor and delivery care, care after birth, gynecological exams, newborn care, assistance with family planning decisions, preconception care, menopausal management and counseling in health maintenance and disease prevention.
Other midwives
The overwhelming majority of midwives are either CNMs or CMs. Still, a variety of titles are used to label midwifery practice so it can be confusing for consumers who want to determine just what qualifications have been met by midwives. ACNM believes that, in the United States, all midwives should graduate from an accredited midwifery education program that is affiliated with an institution of higher education. All CNMs and CMs have earned at least a bachelor's degree, while over 70 percent hold a master's degree or higher. ACNM also believes that midwives should be licensed to practice and should provide their clients with a safe mechanism for consultation, collaboration and referral if needed. Because standards for the education and practice of midwifery may vary, we urge consumers to carefully evaluate credentials and look for a well-educated provider who allows direct access to medical care if needed.
Doula
The doula's role is to provide physical and emotional support to women and their partners during labor and birth. A doula offers information, assistance and advice on topics such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. Perhaps the most crucial role of the doula is to provide continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks, such as vaginal exams or fetal heart rate monitoring. Doulas do not diagnose medical conditions or give medical advice. Doulas and midwives often work together as their philosophy and practice is complementary. At times, midwives need help because of the complex course of labor or the competing needs of more than one woman, which makes the doula-midwife team a wonderful option
2007-08-12 22:59:00
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answer #1
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answered by Combat Medic 2
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For subjects in school I would recommend taking some of the science courses, if your school offers some of the classes to learn about Medicine such as towards becoming a Medical Assistant take those as well.
After high school then you would need to go in to a Nursing program at either a 2 year college or 4 year college (in the U.S. both programs are offered, not sure where you are from). Then after graduation from Nursing School you would go on to a school that offers training of 1 to 2 more years of training to become a midwife.
You can find out more by checking the Nurses Licensing board in your State (if from the U.S.) or country. Also, you can find out more by checking out WebMD.com and also at this site: http://www.obgyn.net and at the homepage click on the section for Nurses.
A third site that may be helpful is at: http://nursing.about.com (if that doesn't work go to about.com and type Midwives in the search box).
2007-08-13 05:49:40
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answer #2
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answered by sokokl 7
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I wouldn't say hard, but you gotta study to be a registered nurse at uni! It would be a good occupation, and they need many nurses.
2007-08-13 05:43:53
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answer #3
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answered by lib 2
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