MARILYN’S COMMENTS

In the last year, it has come to my attention that male midwives are not only discriminated against due to the fact that they are midwives, but also by female members of their profession. I find this to be very unfair. I believe that we all need to be able to differentiate between our own choices and the ones made by other women. A certain midwife would feel that she would prefer a female attendant but must also realize that she cannot make this choice for all women. I personally would look beyond gender when choosing a birth attendant. I would want my midwife to be caring and competent no matter what gender they were. I have been in contact by e-mail with three male midwives. I find this discrimination varies from situation to situation. The FAQ’S below were written by a male midwife who practices in California. I hope in the future other male midwives will add to these so we might get a broader understanding of their situation.

THOMAS'S FAQ'S

A couple of questions I get asked by patients or their partners:

1. Aren't you called a midhusband?

(I then explain that midwife means "with woman", not "with husband".

2. Aren't you going to medical school?

(No, I like midwifery and never had thought of going to med. school)

3. Being addressed, "Doctor"

(Then explaining that I am a midwife.)

4. Well, what do your patients think of a man being a midwife? (typical question asked at a get together or party when they find out that I am a midwife)

(I don't know, maybe the same thing that they think when they go to a male ObGyn)

5. Once I had a thank you letter from a female coach (sister)of one of my patients. She thanked me for helping her sister through labor, then asked me out (if I wasn't gay or married).

(I thanked her for the card, and told her that I was married. (My wife got a kick out of that one)

6. Usually towards the end of midwifery school you are sent out to different sites around the U.S. to do a 8-10 week "Integration" rotation. The only time that I experience discrimination (second hand), was when a student came back from another integration site and told me that the place she was at was looking for midwives.

She told them about me and they told her that they wouldn't hire a male midwife. (I did not pursue this job.)

Well, here are a few things I've encountered over the last 6 1/2 years. Like I mentioned before, I've been pretty lucky and haven't had any problems.

Thomas Morrison, CNM

Cypress, CA

Thomas has his own page which can be reached from our lynx page. You can e-mail your comments to him from there.

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