Schools In The USA
There are many different routes to become a midwife. To confuse the matter there are many different types of midwives.
To begin with, you have to find out what the laws are in your State or Country concerning midwifery. Contact MANA if you do not know. Believe it or not some States have even outlawed midwifery and homebirth. Midwifery is a hot issue and is changing rapidly every day. Marilyn's Midwifery Web Page has a page concerning different prosecutions of midwives, go visit and check it out. My advice is to try and locate a local midwifery association. Get first hand information. Laws are changing.
The skills of each midwife only differ in her methods or education. Decide which door 
you want to go through.
I will try and define in my own words the different types of midwives:
GRANNIE MIDWIFE: An older woman who has been doing midwifery for a long time. She is either self taught or is also a Traditional Midwife.
TRADITIONAL MIDWIFE: A woman who has been taught by working with another midwife.
LICENSED/CERTIFIED MIDWIFE: A person who has met the requirements for her State and has become licensed or certified. Usually there is a renewal and requirements for continuation of her/his license or certification.
DIRECT ENTRY: A direct entry midwife is a midwife who has educated herself or through a correspondence course. They can also be called "LAY MIDWIFE".
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE: National certification through NARM. You can locate them on the web with their requirements.
CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE: A regisitered nurse who went through a midwifery school. The regisiter nurse can have a 2 or 4 year degree. You can locate the different schools on the web.
If you are contemplating whether or not you want to become a midwife and what kind of midwife you want to become, I would first: PRAY and then
1) Research your State's or Country's law concerning midwifery
2) Try to find a midwife that you feel comfortable with. See if you can volunteer some time. This way you can see first hand if midwifery is what you want to do.
3) Locate a local midwifery organization so you become familiar with the political issues of your State or Country
4) Subscribe to MIDWIFERY TODAY and THE BIRTH GAZETTE
5) Get on the Internet and do some research, there are some great sites: Abounding Joy, Christian Midwifery Services in San Diego. I just love Marilyn's Midwifery Page. Do your research.
Remember, do not take one person's opinion. I tell potential clients that they are lucky to live in Arizona because there are so many different midwives. I would tell you the same, interview different midwives, you will get different opinions about midwifery. God Bless, feel free to e-mail me with any other questions.
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