Frequently-asked Questions

Do Certified Nurse-Midwives work with Doctors?
CNMs are independent practitioners but do work with one or more physicians and collaborate with them as may be needed. CNMs would collaborate with a physician when a client is in need of surgery or develops a medical condition that puts her pregnancy at increased risk. In certain situations such as insulin-dependent diabetes, or a persistent breech presentation where a cesarean delivery is required the client would actually be transferred to the physician for continued care. Most often, clients stay under the care of the midwife but the midwife may consult with an obstetrician-gynecologist or perinatologist regarding some aspect of additional testing or plan of care.

If a woman planning a home birth experiences complications at home, care will be transferred to the physician once they arrive at the hospital, but the midwife continues as a support person in the hospital setting.

How are Certified Nurse-Midwives Trained?
Nurse-Midwives are licensed registered nurses who complete an additional graduate level program in midwifery through a university-based school of medicine, nursing or public health.
How is Nurse-Midwifery Education Accredited?
The American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation accredits all nurse-midwifery programs in the U.S.

Graduates must pass the national certification examination administered by the ACNM Certification Council Inc. and maintain certification through yearly continuing education.
Where do CNMs Practice?
Certified Nurse Midwives practice in all 50 states and work in collaboration with obstetrician-gynecologist physicians.

In the United States, most midwives work through clinics and attend births in hospitals, birth centers or at home.

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Women with complications in their pregnancy may also be cared for by nurse-midwives in consultation with an obstetrician who is a specialist in complications of pregnancy.

Do all Certified Nurse-Midwives offer home birth services?

CNMs support the concept of homebirth, however in Tucson only two practices offer home birth. Most CNMs provide birth services in a facility setting such as a birth center or in a hospital where birthing rooms and a homelike setting is available. See the Tucson list of practices and services provided.

What birthing options with Certified Nurse-Midwives are available in Tucson? See List of CNM practices on this web site.

Where do I take Childbirth classes if I see a Certified Nurse-Midwife?

 Ask at your midwife's office. Some offices provide classes right at their office or may refer you to a private educator or the hospital where you plan to give birth. You may also check this website for current classes around town.

What if I don't have insurance that covers pregnancy AND I don't qualify for AHCCCS or Baby Arizona?

First of all, make sure you can't qualify for Baby Arizona. You might be surprised how much money your household can bring in and still qualify.
The guidelines below consider that the household includes the unborn baby; so in a household of 2 such as a single mother it means a single mother who is pregnant.

Household size
Monthly income allowed
Income allowed per person
2
3
4
5
$1,393.00
$2,338.00
$3,168.00
$3,956.00
$ 1,393.00
$ 1,169.00
$ 1,056.00
$ 989.00

If the mother is NOT MARRIED the Father of Baby's income is NOT counted. If the mother is less than 22 years old her parents household income IS counted.

See this website under Financial Plans and Insurance for details.
If you are paying cash:

Call around to each CNM practice and ask for their prepaid cash package price for either home or hospital birth. Ask what the package includes. It may or may not include laboratory work, ultrasound, or other testing that may become necessary during the pregnancy. Also, call the hospitals where CNMs deliver babies and ask for the hospital's prepaid maternity package for a vaginal delivery (a Cesarean delivery will be more) The hospital is a separate charge from the midwife's fee. In addition to the basic hospital package there will be a pediatrician fee and if you have an epidural there may be an anesthesiologist fee. Neither of these provider fees will be included in the hospital's fee or the midwife's fee.


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