About

Who We Are

The Colorado Midwives Association supports and promotes the option of home birth for families in Colorado. The CMA facilitates communication and community amongst direct-entry midwives through conferences and workshops. Direct-entry midwives have been legal in Colorado since 1993 due to the efforts of the CMA and supporting community. The CMA strives to be a legislative force behind maintaining and updating the regulations of direct-entry midwifery in Colorado.

Our Mission

The mission of the Colorado Midwives Association is to support direct-entry midwifery through advocacy, continuing education, and community awareness.

Our Vision

Midwifery care will be an integral part of the healthcare system and home birth will be a widely accepted option. Midwives and other maternity healthcare providers will work collaboratively with professional respect, trust, and mutual goals in providing excellent care.

The CMA advances home birth midwifery care as an accessible option to families in Colorado.
The CMA provides educational and informational resources, as well as opportunities to midwives in Colorado.
The CMA advocates for laws and policies that promote best practices in midwifery care.
The CMA expects midwives to provide excellent quality of care using the Midwives Model of Care, MANA statement of values and ethics, and Colorado State Rules and Regulations as their guide.

Childbirth being one's most significant life passage, those close to us when we open to birth a baby will never be forgotten." ~ Robin Lim

Home Birth in Colorado

The decision to birth at home is a matter of choice. Parents-to-be look at the options available to them and for some, the possibility of welcoming their baby into the world in their own home seems most appealing.

In Colorado, parents have the option of hiring a Colorado Registered Midwife to provide prenatal care to the mother, attend the birth, and oversee the health of the mother and baby for 6 weeks postpartum.

Registered Midwives in Colorado:

Monitor the physical, psychological and social well being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
Provide the mother with individualized education, counseling and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and extensive postpartum support
Minimize technological interventions
Identify and refer women who require obstetrical attention

Some positive aspects of home birth midwifery care include:

Informed choice
Parents experience a strong sense of involvement in their care
Freedom of movement—mom chooses positions for labor and birth
Low Cesarean section rate
Very low episiotomy rate
Strong support for breastfeeding
Waterbirth option
Referral to appropriate medical care when needed

Some well-executed, reliable studies about home birth published in reputable journals:

HOW TO BECOME A MIDWIFE IN COLORADO

The CMA recommends all prospective midwives try to get their hands on the book, “Paths to Becoming a Midwife: Getting an Education,” published by Midwifery Today Magazine, October 1998.

Midwifery is a very rewarding path, but equally as challenging. It takes most students at least two years to complete their training. Four years is more realistic—just for the training. After you complete your training, it generally takes three years to establish a practice. Midwifery is not for the weak of spirit or people who require immediate gratification!

Recommended Reading List

THE COLORADO MIDWIVES ASSOCIATION IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE COLORADO MIDWIVES THAT GIVE THEIR TIME TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND AS SUPPORTING MEMBERS.

Colorado Midwives Association - Board of Directors

Melissa Sexton CPM, RM, President
Jennifer Barr, CPM, RM, Vice President
Kattie Jones CPM, RM, Treasurer
Natalie Baca CPM, RM, Secretary
Jennifer Dossett RM, Membership
Samantha Venn, Student Midwife to Melissa Sexton, Website and Social Media Chair
Althea Hrdlichka, CPM, LM, RM, Doula Trainer, Member at Large, Newsletter Chair
Jan Lapetino CPM, RM, Member at Large, Legislative Advisor