I want to try and clear up some statements that have been made recently
about midwives. There are many different types of midwives with different
levels of training and education.

CNM- Certified nurse-midwife. An RN with specific midwifery training.

CPM- Certified professional midwife. An international certification
recognized by many states here in the USA. These midwives have documented
education, midwifery training, and experience.

LM- Licensed midwife. A state license for a midwife having documented
education, midwifery training, and experience.

Direct entry midwife/ Lay midwife- A midwife that is not certified by any
legal method. These midwives can have a variety of skill levels. Everything
from feeling "called" to extensive apprenticeship training. As midwifery is
still illegal in many states this is the only option available to some
midwives.

As a licensed midwife (who was a direct- entry midwife before licensure was
available in CA) and a candidate for the IBCLC exam in July, I want to
assure you that none of the many midwives I know would even consider
recommending a home-made formula for any baby. I am sure there are some
uninformed midwives out there, just as there are uninformed LC's, but they
need edcation not condemnation.

Please don't fall into thinking of midwives as the uneducated,
conterculture, anti-medical stereotype. It is not fair to the many highly
skilled, caring midwives working to help women and their babies be healthy
and strong.

Janet Hoover Malo
Licensed Midwife
Santa Cruz, CA

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        "Birth stories are how midwives teach each other. There are stories
that hold great lessons, told time and again. That's the oral tradition-
you tell stories when it's appropriate for what's happening, instead of
teaching in some linear way from a book."
                                Women's Ways of Knowing