The mission of Oklahomans for Midwives is to facilitate parental autonomy in birth and support access to midwifery in Oklahoma. Legislation could significantly impact access to midwifery care in Oklahoma if midwives are not given a seat at the table. We, the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives Oklahoma State Chapter, The Oklahoma Midwives Alliance and the Midwives Society of Oklahoma are committed to protecting healthcare access for Oklahoma families. We appreciate you and your passion and dedication to preserving access to safe, compassionate maternity care in Oklahoma.
Protect Access to Midwifery
Why is this important?
For the first time in many years, legislation to regulate midwives was introduced in 2017. Neither bill went through, but out-of-hospital midwives were subsequently excluded from an interim study held to discuss licensure for midwives in Oklahoma despite our willingness to cooperate. Our work is in alignment with the global and national midwifery standards that Dr. Dana Stone referenced in the interim study, but because we were excluded we could not engage in that dialogue. We are working to ensure that whether or not the states deems licensure necessary, access for midwifery consumers is protected. We have hired professional lobbyists to guide us through this process, and we ask that you, our consumers and advocates, contribute toward the financial commitment required for this expert support! Please donate here.
How can I help?
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Stay in touch. We want to keep you posted in order to continue mobilizing support to protect healthcare access in OK. Click here to sign up for our mailing list.
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Donate. Protecting healthcare access is a costly and sometimes long process. Click here to donate and support the cause. All funds received go directly toward the cost of our professional representation at the capitol.
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Know your Senator. Watch for action alerts through our email list and Facebook, and be prepared to call, email, and visit your Senator to request support for our cause. Look up your State Senator (not your US Senators Inhofe or Lankford) by entering your address below:
Resources
+ Evidence: click here.
+ Why Not Home? documentary: click here.
+ MSO: click here.
+ OMA: click here.
+ NACPM: click here.
What is a Midwife?
What is a CPM – Certified Professional Midwife?
“The CPM credential was developed by NARM in collaboration with the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA), the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC), Citizens for Midwifery (a consumer-based group) and diverse stakeholders from across the United States. The credential validates the knowledge, skills and abilities vital to responsible midwifery practice and reflects and preserves the essential nature of midwifery care.
The CPM credential is unique among maternity care providers in the United States as it requires training and experience in out-of hospital birth … The competency-based model for certification assures well-educated, skilled and competent providers. The CPM credential requires that all candidates demonstrate successful mastery of both didactic and clinical knowledge and skills … All CPM candidates are required to demonstrate acquisition of the required knowledge and skills and to have performed competently as primary midwife under supervision. Certification is renewed every three years, and all CPMs must obtain continuing education and participate in peer review for recertification. In addition, NARM requires that each CPM have written practice guidelines, a process for informed disclosure and consent with clients, including a HIPAA privacy policy, and that the CPM participates in a one-time cultural competency course for certification or recertification. Evidence of ongoing continuing education is required to maintain the CPM credential.” -nacpm.com
What is a CNM – Certified Nurse Midwife?
“Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses who have graduated from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) (formerly the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Division of Accreditation (DOA)) and have passed a national certification examination to receive the professional designation of certified nurse-midwife. Nurse-midwives have been practicing in the U.S. since the 1920s.” -midwife.org
What is a CM – Certified Midwife?
“Certified midwives are individuals who have or receive a background in a health related field other than nursing and graduate from a midwifery education program accredited by ACME. Graduates of an ACME accredited midwifery education program take the same national certification examination as CNMs but receive the professional designation of certified midwife.
Midwifery as practiced by CNMs and CMs encompasses a full range of primary healthcare services for women from adolescence to beyond menopause. These services include primary care, gynecologic and family planning services, preconception care, care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, care of the normal newborn during the first 28 days of life, and treatment of male partners for sexually transmitted infections. These services are provided in diverse settings such as ambulatory care clinics, private offices, community and public health systems, homes, hospitals, and birth centers. CNMs and CMs practice in accord with the Standards for the Practice of Midwifery, as defined by the ACNM. These standards meet or exceed the global competencies and standards for the practice of midwifery as defined by the International Confederation of Midwives.” -midwife.org