Becoming a Midwife

7 Responses to “Becoming a NICU nurse”

1. Jenny Says:
   April 10th, 2006 at 10:10 AM Being a NICU nurse will encourage in you better skills to become a NICU nurse, not a midwife. As a DE midwife, now a CNM, I would suggest that you work as an RN in a birth center if you want to become more proficient in skills that will inspire you to practice as a better midwife. Most of the NICU turned midwife nurses I know had to overcome deeply held often unconscious fears about the dangers of childbirth in order to become midwives. THe redundency of caring for sick babies does not contribute to confidence in birth as a natural process. Good luck. Hope you make it.
2. Bethany Says:
   April 11th, 2006 at 07:27 AM Thanks for the words of wisdom. I should have been a bit more specific - it's not possible for me to find a job in a birth center right now, but that of course would be ideal and incredible. My experience right now as a nurse has been in pediatric hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplants...not exactly the natural approach to the medical field that I lean toward with my passion for midwifery. But, God has me in this place for a reason, and I am learning how to make the most out of every experience and take what I can from it to make me a better midwife. As I looked for a new job, I thought about making the switch into Labor and Delivery. I have gone back and forth about the positives and negatives of being a L&D nurse before a midwife, but I just think that all of those "medicalized" births would just be too frustrating for me. So, because my experience is in pediatrics, I am going to try this focus on newborns with the hope that I will learn some valuable skills. But, I need to remember to keep my passion for midwifery and my deep beliefs that birth is usually a very normal and safe experience. (Whenever I need a reminder of the beauty of the normal, natural birth process, I open one of my Ina May books!)
3. Kristin Says:
   May 11th, 2006 at 09:41 AM Just wanted to drop a note and say hi. Hope your move to Austin goes smoothly! Praising God for His gift of contentment on your journey to becoming a midwife!
4. Bethany Says:
   May 15th, 2006 at 11:57 AM Thank you, Kristin! We are leaving for Austin this weekend - I can't believe it's finally here! Hopefully we will be able to see you again someday!
5. Andi Says:
   June 17th, 2006 at 11:09 AM I disagree with Jenny. Any kind of related experience is going to be beneficial toward your career as a midwife, it's all in being aware of how to apply what you have learned. Good luck with the new gig.
6. kristin Says:
   March 1st, 2007 at 03:45 PM

   i do not know any NICU that has become a midwife because they LOVE NICU too much… yes it is heartbreaking but you get used to it after awhile!

7. Marta Says:
   July 4th, 2007 at 04:37 AM

   That’s pretty hard work, work on yourself. When I’ve started this way I’ve chosen first time I thought that I will leave all this. But for the moment I’m really happy that I’ve done this job. Just don’t give up!

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