What are the different kinds of midwives in Florida?
There are 2 types of midwives in Florida. The licensed midwife studied for at least 3 years in an approved school, took a national certification exam, and practices midwifery mainly in birth centers and homebirths. They are well versed in natural herbs, vitamins, and homeopathics but cannot write prescriptions, do gynecology past 6 weeks postpartum, or deliver babies in hospitals. The certified nurse midwife in Florida is licensed as a nurse practitioner and does write prescriptions, do gynecology, and most nurse midwives work in hospitals. Almost 20% of the babies born in Florida are delivered by nurse-midwives. I graduated from the University of Miami as a nurse-midwife, but then worked among licensed midwives for 5 years at a busy birthing center in Miami, Florida. The licensed midwives taught me so much about herbs, homeopathics, and other natural remedies. I taught them a bit about conventional Western medicine and obstetrics. I feel I’ve got the best of both worlds: the knowledge
