Appt today... young CNM?

ashie0610 · June 2014

I went for a regular monthly check-up today and met with my practice's brand new midwife. She was very nice, but was slightly nervous and looked VERY young. I didn't have any big questions for her and it was an easy visit so I feel a little wrong for questioning her experience, but she just seemed SO young, so I googled her when I got home. She graduated undergrad in 2010 and then finished her Master's last year so I'm thinking she's my little brother's age. I know doctors go through residency after schooling but not sure about CNMs. How much experience could she possibly have delivering, especially having just completed her education last year?

I originally loved that my practice had so many experienced midwives but now I'm hesitant and feeling nervous about the possibility of her being the one to deliver with us. Would you guys be feeling similarly or am I totally over-thinking this?

pnwlover12 · June 2014

Everyone has to start somewhere. I can understand being nervous about it though. Can you bring it up to your normal midwife?

ashie0610 · June 2014

crawford411 said:

At least where I went to school, CNMs did 650 clinical hours in addition to nursing hours. A friend of mine is a new CNM with less than 1 year experience and has done probably 50 births in the past 8 months plus hundreds of office visits. If she graduated in 2010, she's probably more experienced than you think.

Good to know! That actually makes me feel a lot better. I didn't realize they did the hours with the schooling.

@pnwlover12, I am seeing a different midwife next time so I think I will bring it up if I can find a way to not be super awkward about it. I was also thinking of asking one of the doctors what they think since I switch back and forth between the CNMs and OBs.

Emerald27 · June 2014

She's probably attended many many births, assisted in quite a few and even delivered babies under supervision before being hired to join the practice.

There's no harm in calling the office and saying (nicely); "I met with your new CNM today and would like to learn more about her. Can you tell me her experience, number of babies delivered, etc."

lrobi13 · June 2014

I like what @Emerald27 and @erawka said. I too would have questions if my healthcare provider seemed nervous but there are some benefits to having someone who is fresh on all the current practices.

Justabean3 · June 2014

Nervous or slightly hyper/manic... They present very similar and some people just can't help that

neither make them inexperienced. The good thing is younger folks are also less complacent and still very go go go (in general)

Just something to think about.

hippohat · June 2014

Yes she may be young, but she's also had the most recent education. And ditto what was said above - being nervous vs. acting unsure/indecisive. I agree, I would ask my OB for more info about her, I don't think it's out of line at all.

Starfish17 · June 2014

CNM's also have to deliver a certain number of babies during their clinical hours in school, so the time is not just spent monitoring labor, visits, etc (I think it varies by state). Also, consider how busy the practice is - if they deliver a lot of babies, she'll have more experience than if it's a small practice. You can always ask a provider directly about their experience - how many deliveries they have attended, how long they've been at the practice, etc.

flutterby03 · June 2014

My midwife is young - but that's part of why I like her. She is cautious in a good way - if she is ever questioning anything, she will ask a more experienced midwife or refer to an OB for a consult. She is honest, and doesn't try to be a know-it-all. She is very aware of herself and her experience.

Also, ditto what PP have said about midwives have a ton of clinical hours. At least in Canada, they have to deliver a certain number of babies unassisted before they can even finish their program.

Lapooh · June 2014

I wont worry about the young midwife. Like others said, the younger she is the more likely it is that she s familiar with and practices according to the newest guidelines, etc. She wont be practicing independently if she wasn't experienced enough. It is also totally acceptable to ask her about her degree of experience next time you see her, or by calling the office if you prefer.

ashie0610 · June 2014

I really appreciate you all weighing in. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable about it than my initial gut reaction due to a lot of the points made here! It's funny - I actually preferred the younger OBs when I delivered my son for the same reasons many of you mention as positives to a young midwife, but they were a few years in the practice rather than one year out of school.

To answer the questions about what I meant by nervous, I think it was really just in her mannerisms. Maybe it was more awkwardness? Eye contact was forced and it seemed like she forgot what she was supposed to tell me - like at the end she threw in a few reminders as I was walking out saying to call if I had any bleeding or cramping that wouldn't go away. Definitely good advice, but it was just strange the way she threw it in there when she realized she forgot to mention it. I suppose you can be awkward at any age though.

I'm thinking I'll schedule another appointment with her toward the end of my pregnancy to get her perspective on VBACs, meds, etc. and see how that goes. We just didn't really have a lot to cover today.

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Appt today... young CNM?

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