Midwifery School in Massachusetts - MA

By Susan Maphis, allied health world contributing writer
Published: October, 16 2010

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Midwifery is a popular practice in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Midwives enjoy much support from the community, the medical profession and the commonwealth’s legislation. The Massachusetts Midwives Alliance (MMA) is an organization of three types of midwives: direct entry, certified professional and certified nurse-midwives. Currently, Massachusetts does not have a Board of Midwifery to govern all three types of midwives in the commonwealth. However, legislation that would create such a board is pending. All three types of midwives may legally practice in Massachusetts, but only certified nurse-midwives are governed by a state board (the Board of Nursing). The other types of midwives are not, at this time, officially “recognized” by the state.

Midwifery courses in Massachusetts are available in the state and online. Schools that train midwives are open to anyone, regardless of any degree they might already hold. If one wants to become a certified nurse-midwife, he or she must first attain a Registered Nurse degree then take graduate programs of education in midwifery. Others, however, may enter midwifery schools with few prerequisites beyond age and the possession of a high school diploma. Courses commonly found in midwife schools include homeopathy for pregnancy and birth, anatomy, physiology, prenatal and postnatal care, and newborn and infant care.