C.Ione Sims' question about going into practice with CNMs raises some general issues whenever one considers doing a practice with someone else. a) Going into practice with someone (regardless of their specialization/professional background) is like being married. It is best to get clear each person's philosophy and approach so that problems of potnetial conflict between partners can be minimized. This will reduce confusion by patients seen by each partner separately. b) When going into practice with a midwife, phyisician, etc., consider whether you want to limit you practice to only THEIR patients. Many potential patients may think twice about seeing you if you are viewed only as that practice's LC--unless you want this to happen, such a partnership might not work. c) Another option to the problem noted in b) is to have a clear understanding (preferably in writing in advance) that you can bring in/see other patients, too. (This might work well, but does not in all cases) d) as with any (long-term, productive, positive) relationship, it is best to go slow and get things down in writing. In other wrods, this is one "marriage" where a prenup is a must! Def. of LC service: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Homewood, IL)- [log in to unmask]