Being a midwife can be a very fulfilling career choice for individuals who take joy in helping pregnant women. As a midwife, a person has the true joy of bringing life into the world. A midwife usually depends on alternative medicine treatments to help a pregnant woman during her delivery. The midwife does not usually administer epidurals, which is one main distinguishing feature in the treatment that midwives provide. When a person decides to go through the delivery process with a midwife, she usually receives a greater amount of attention and care than would be possible in a hospital setting. The midwife is able to make the mother comfortable at all times during the delivery process. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a midwife?” When you want to become a midwife, it is important for you to obtain the necessary certifications.
What’s it like to be a midwife?
When you are a midwife, you will be responsible for providing advice to couples throughout the pregnancy process. A couple will probably meet with you at the outset of a pregnancy. It is your job to explain all of the benefits and risks that are associated with going through the delivery process with a midwife. It is also important for you to explain all of the different delivery options that are available to a woman. A woman may decide that she wants to give birth to her child in a tub of water, and you will need to explain the risks that are associated with this type of delivery. You may also explain the way in which the midwife conducts this type of delivery process. You will also meet with a woman to ensure that she is healthy throughout the pregnancy process. On the day of delivery, you will perform your most important role in helping with the process of giving birth to the child. It will be your job to actually deliver the child. In the event that an emergency occurs, you will also need to know how to respond to this type of situation. You may need to call an ambulance to arrive to the home and take the mother to the hospital.
Education Requirements
To become a midwife, you do not need to obtain a college degree. It is only necessary for you to pass the North American Registry of Midwives examination. This is a written exam. If you know that you want to become a midwife, then you should try to take relevant courses during your time in high school. It is a good idea to take anatomy, science and math classes during your time in high school. There is also a program offered by the Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council. You must complete this program if you want to become a professional midwife. You will need to obtain re-certification every three years.
Salary & How to Get a Job
The average midwife earns a salary of about $66,000 a year. A midwife can work for an agency that places him or her with families, or the midwife can decide to work as an independent contractor. The geographic location of a midwife will affect the amount of salary that he or she earns in a given year. If a midwife works in a rural location, then he or she will make a salary of about $40,000 to $50,000 a year. If a midwife works in a city location, then he or she will earn a salary of about $60,000 to $75,000 a year. It is a good idea for a midwife to decide upon a geographic location before he or she enters the practice.
References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_15159_become-midwife.html
2. http://www.ehow.com/info_7893687_average-salary-midwifery.html