Midwifery Model of Care: CPM vs. CNM (My Experience) | Mother Rising

Because of my recent miscarriages and my MTHFR diagnosis, I chose to do my prenatal care for my current pregnancy in an OBGYN’s office. I wanted to have easy access to testing, prescriptions, ultrasounds, etc., if I needed it, but also access to the midwifery model of care.

I love the Midwifery Model of Care

Through the midwifery model of care women have access to care designed just for her and her pregnancy. For example, when a woman is low risk she will stay with a low intervention midwife, but if she needs more help and interventions she would use an OBGYN, or even better, collaborative care from a midwife and an OBGYN.

My Experience

(The following is the story of my experience with the midwifery model of care with a hospital CNM. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the experience I was hoping for. Thankfully, there are awesome care providers out there, no matter what their credentials. Nevertheless, this was my experience.)

Right now I am using a certified nurse midwife (CNM) through my OBGYN’s office. She is great! As a doula I have attended a birth with her and she was very supportive of mom’s wishes, very hands off and laid back. My kind of midwife!

If I had to have a hospital birth, I would absolutely want her there and I would be worried if she weren’t! Despite my love for her and her birth greatness, I confess I am very disappointed in the midwifery care I have thus far received.

I’m Disappointed

You see, with my son’s pregnancy I was using a certified professional midwife (CPM) at a freestanding birth center that also attended homebirths. I experienced what true midwifery care was and I’m sorry to report that so far (i’m almost 18 weeks) the prenatal care dulls in comparision.

One of the biggest differences in care I have experienced is the lack of a developing relationship. Really, the only way you develop relationships is by spending time with one another, and sadly I have spent more time getting to know waiting rooms than my actual midwife.

CPM vs. CNM

The first appointment I had with my CPM with my son’s pregnancy was an hour and a half and all that time was spent with the midwife. My initial appointment with my current pregnancy was a similar amount of time but spent maybe 20 minutes with the actual midwife. The rest of the time was waiting, doing initial bloodwork with a nurse, etc.

One time I asked my current midwife (CNM) if she could tell if my uterus had flipped forward, and instead of feeling in my abdomen and touching me she simply stated that there was no way to tell. The heck?

My CPM’s have always been able to tell if my uterus seemed smaller than normal because it was simply facing my back and not forward.

Prenatal Nutrition CPM vs. CNM

Another huge difference in my care is the lack of attention to nutrition.  No joke, my out of hospital midwives are serious sticklers for good nutrition. They will give you a nutrition assessment and continue to ask about it throughout your pregnancy.

CPM’s are not trying to be controlling, but simply trying to keep their clients low-risk. Good nutrition keeps moms and babies healthy and helps prevent complications.

Once a CPM’s client starts developing complications, she could easily risk out of her care and have to transfer to the hospital.

It’s a win-win! CPM’s keep their clients, moms and babies stay healthy. Seems like a DUH sort of thing to me.

Apparently, it’s Not a DUH Thing

I have had zero conversations with my CNM about nutrition. Nothin. Nada. And this makes me VERY sad.

Ladies, you have GREAT influence over the health of your pregnancy and your baby… and that is done with good prenatal care and excellent nutrition!  For example, did you know that the intake of probiotics in pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of preeclampsia?

It’s not as simple as “your baby will take the nutrients from you that it needs to grow and be healthy”. Yes that’s true, but wouldn’t you like to lower your risk of preeclampsia (bed rest, feeling like crap, inductions, etc.) among other things with good nutrition?

Broken System

Our maternity healthcare system is BROKEN! I am currently experiencing the broken system and I am very sad.

Do your research, get the dirty details on your care provider, and be your own advocate… especially if you’re planning for a hospital birth or not using the midwifery model of care.

Remember, you can always get a new care provider. It’s never too late!