There a several routes of entry for homebirth midwives in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Which path a midwife has chosen greatly depends on her personal background, values regarding the art of midwifery and where she practices.
The Midwives Alliance of Pennsylvania (MAP) is a professional trade organization representing direct entry midwives statewide. We are a unified organization that share a passion and dedication to the rights of families to choose out-of-hospital births. Our membership is made up of CPMs, DEMs and CNMs.
Various Types of Midwives Practicing in Pa
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)
A Certified Professional Midwife is a knowledgeable, skilled and professional, independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the midwifery model of care. The CPM is the only international credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital settings. Currently, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not offer licensing or prescriptive authority for CPM’s.
Direct-Entry Midwife (DEM)
A direct-entry midwife is an independent practitioner educated in the discipline of midwifery through self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery school, or a college- or university-based program distinct from the discipline of nursing. A direct-entry midwife is trained to provide the Midwives Model of Care to healthy women and newborns throughout the childbearing cycle primarily in out-of-hospital settings. Currently, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not offer licensing or prescriptive authority for DEM’s.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
A Certified Nurse-Midwife is an individual educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery, who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. In Pennsylvania, CNM (Certified Nurse Midwives) can attend births in hospitals, birthing centers, and, with a written practice agreement with an current, practicing obstetrician, homebirths. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires licensing for CNM’s and the Department of Health is working to establish prescriptive authority for CNM’s.
