Are there any CPMs out there or CPM students? I would like to hear from you why you have decided to go the CPM route? Just elaborate on the journey and the wonderful homebirth stories you have come across. Maybe also mention which school you have attended and how long it took you! I can't wait for these awesome stories to be read.

Sandra G

I am about to start the National Midwifery Insitute program to be a CPM. It is a distance learning program, and you have to find a local midwife to apprentice with as well. I'm really excited about it, so we'll see how it goes!

I'm about to start at NMI as well. I'm finding it difficult to get an apprenticeship!

I'm a CPM. I can't seem to shake the alldoulas habit! I did the PEP process - as do the majority of CPMs. A mixed bag, but there is no perfect path.

I'm doing the PEP process, and studying through AAMI. I've been in an apprenticeship for 8 months

Congratulations gentledoula, FarmingtonDoula, amymaew on having started your journey and of course doulafava for being their already. I would not have a problem finding apprenticeship, we have two CPMs in our city. Going to start searching for schools now, also will check out those that you have mentioned.

I hope you find an apprenticeship! We have 7 CPMs that I know of within 45 minutes of me and it took me years to get an apprenticeship!

Thank you Amy, I hope it will a smooth journey! Would you know of any CPM forums?

I am anxious to become a CPM also, through the PEP process. I'm just interested to know if you attended a program, or if you were completely self-study and apprenticeship trained.

There is a forum at MidwiferyToday.com There is also a forum for midwives at mothering.com

I am a CPM student doing PEP and working with a Homebirth CNM. I love it. I'm applying to Sacred Mountain in WV next month. I was in a school, but it did not appeal to my learning style.

I enrolled with AAMI. It would be an understatement to say that I did not like it. I wish there was a university track for non-nurse midwives. But at any rate, because of the legal status of midwifery in my state at the time a MEAC school was not an option. So, I mostly did self study. Some college classes here and there. I do feel like I could/should know more. But I am the kind of person who reads voraciously and who retains pretty much whatever I read. So it worked okay and I feel as prepared as any self-study person could in an imperfect system.

Thanks for your response DoulaFava.

I'm an aspiring CPM taking my classes through Midwife-to-Be. As Doulafava said, there's no perfect path. I picked the program I did because CPMs/DEMs are not legal in my state and I didn't want to shell out a lot of cash for a program and then have to travel to neighboring states on top of all of that for apprenticing. More of a guided learning program where you track how much time spent on various activities per unit. There are required reading assignments, study guides, quizzes, and tests all with the purpose of preparing someone for NARM and the South Carolina exam for licensure. The yahoo groups for the program are pretty active. Total cost for the program is approx. $800 and you have the option of paying extra for the skills weekends. They also do mission trips a couple of times a year. The website if you want to check it out is Midwife to Be | Birthing Midwives Since 1986.

I looked in Midwife To Be and it is perfect for me at this point. I enrolled and started today! There is A LOT of reading, tests, projects, etc. and it will take me awhile. Later on I will look for a Midwife to apprentice with and then take the NARM. They also accept Doula Births as part of their Birth Experience requirement and so I will be continuing to Doula also. I am so excited to be a Student Midwife! CPMs/LMs are legal in my state.