I had a homebirth with an independently practicing CNM in California. After a few years I gradually became more and more impressed that midwifery was(is) the path for me. I wanted to become a CPM, but after some research I decided to go for nurse-midwifery. My reasons are 1) I am also interested in becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, to give continuing care for the families I attend, 2) Nurse-Midwives are legal in every state, and who knows what I’ll end up doing, 3) Nurse-Midwives tend to have better luck in getting paid by insurances, 4) I want to have hospital privileges so that if a mother needs or wants transfer to the hospital I can still attend her there, and 5) (a biggie!) the government will pay for my education as a CNM, not so with DEM or CPM.

BUT, I want to primarily attend homebirths! I know in CA this would not be a problem, but now I’m living in Utah. Will I be able to attend homebirths as a CNM, or is it next to impossible to find a backing physician? Also, as a CNM, will I have less freedom in homebirths than I would as a CPM? You said “Some have even went on to obtain their CPM in order to practice independently.” This option sounds reasonable. If I am a CNM and a CPM, will I be able to practice independently, or would the status of CNM still bar me from this option?

Thank you.