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CNMA Newsletter – March 2026



Message From the President


Dear CNMA Community,

 

Whenever I’m out in public—at the bank, in the park, or in the grocery store chatting with someone in line—and I mention that I’m a midwife, I’m often met with curiosity. I explain what a midwife does, where someone might access midwifery care, and how a midwife differs from an obstetrician or a doula. I find myself thinking about ways to raise public awareness of what midwifery is.

 

These conversations have made me realize something important: although midwifery is one of the oldest professions in the world, many people still have only a vague idea of what we do. When I think about the exposure that the public gets to the birth experience, I recognize that what comes to mind is probably a birthing person crying out in agony, being wheeled through the doors of a hospital delivery room, or the classic image of an obstetrician between the birthing person's legs, yelling "PUSH!" Yet the history of midwifery reminds us that birth has always been more than a clinical event. It has also been a community experience, guided by knowledge, patience, and presence.

 

During March 2026, Women's History Month, let’s reflect on the women in history who have brought awareness to our profession. Honoring the lineage of midwifery means reclaiming that broader cultural understanding of birth. Let us carry forward the work of the women who sustained and advanced this profession across generations. Remembering that the average person's Instagram and Facebook feeds are not full of beautiful images of birthing people in bathtubs, communities, or being tended to in the loving care of their midwife.

 

We may have intentionally filled our social media feeds with this type of imagery, reminding us of the powerful, committed, and purposeful care we provide as midwives. But how do we bring this imagery to the general public? In what ways can we raise awareness of the art and science of midwifery? We have an opportunity to make midwifery more visible in the public sphere. Bringing midwifery into everyday community spaces, sharing the stories of midwives past and present, and connecting our work to broader conversations about community health all help ensure that this tradition remains vibrant and accessible.

 

Consider participating in the International Day of the Midwife on May 5 by joining me at the ACNM Health Policy Summit and Hill Day or locally on June 3 for the CNMA Lobby Day. This month, as we celebrate the women who came before us, let’s also continue the work of making midwifery visible wherever we may be.

 

In Solidarity,

 

 

Amita Graham, CNM, WHNP, IBCLC

President, California Nurse-Midwives Association (CNMA)


Legislative Action & Advocacy

 

Save the date! The CNMA will be hosting an in-person Lobby Day in Sacramento June 3rd, 2026. Join us in community & advocacy! More details to come. 


Budget updates

  • We are continuing our efforts to encourage the legislature to and Governor's office to fund SB 520 (Caballero) & AB 836 (Stefani)

Legislative updates

  • We will be sponsoring one bill and co-sponsoring another. More information on both bills to come soon!  

Other Policy/Advocacy Issues


Midwifery in the News

Click the link below to read this relevant article.



Education, Trainings, Webinars, and More


ACNM Open Business Meeting


The ACNM Open Business Meeting is scheduled for April 16, and all members — including students — are encouraged to participate. Submitting a motion is one of the few direct ways members can formally propose actions, policy changes, or official positions for the organization to consider and vote on.


Motions can be used to shape organizational policy, propose bylaw changes, introduce resolutions on issues relevant to midwifery practice or health policy, and more. This is not a ceremonial occasion — it's a meaningful opportunity to put specific ideas before the membership body and influence ACNM's direction.

If you're not sure where to start, consider reviewing last year's motions (ACNM member login required) to see if anything sparks an idea worth bringing forward.


Motions are due by Friday, March 27, at midnight. Submit yours using this form. Once submitted, motions will be posted in the ACNM Business Meeting Motions Connect community (ACNM member login required), where members can discuss them ahead of the meeting.


Register for the ACNM Open Business Meeting HERE!


On-Demand Webinars and Other Resources 


Announcing the Reproductive Health Services Corps Accelerator Program



In addition to the amazing virtual and in-person abortion trainings offered regularly by CNMA. We wanted you know about another exciting new program TEACH is launching! We're thrilled to announce the launch of the RHSC Accelerator Program @ TEACH, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the Reproductive Health Services Corps grant. This program is designed for existing healthcare providers (MD, DO, NP, CNM, PA) within California seeking to expand their skills and offer comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortion care.

Key Program Benefits:

  • Customized Training: Tailored to your specific needs and goals.

  • Financial Support: Funding available to help you complete your training

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Access to didactic components for providing medical and procedural abortions, and options counseling 

  • Clinical Rotation Opportunities: Gain hands-on experience in a supportive environment.

  • On-Site Training: We can host training sessions at your practice for your team.

Ready to take the next step?

Rural providers and those who represent and care for underserved communities will be given top priority.   

Bethany Golden & Megan Kumar

Co-Directors Reproductive Health Services Corps @ TEACH. 


ReproHH: Free, On-Demand, Clinician-to-Clinician Support for Reproductive Health


We are thrilled to announce the launch of ReproHH: a FREE, confidential hotline for healthcare providers nationwide! Whether you’re a clinician or a community health worker, you can now connect with specialists based out of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to discuss your sexual and reproductive health questions - all by phone. ReproHH’s team of physicians is here as a trusted partner to minimize the need for referrals to specialists, avoid unnecessary treatments, and enhance healthcare outcomes.

Call ReproHH today at 1-844-ReproHH (1-844-737-7644).

ReproHH is available Monday – Friday, 8 am - 4 pm PT (11 am – 7 pm ET), excluding holidays.

Learn more and review our terms of service at reprohh.ucsf.edu. 


Job Opportunities


Attention all LA County CNMs: Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley is Hiring!


Come join our group of rad clinicians who are providing inclusive reproductive health care in Northeast LA and the SGV.  Our visits are wide-ranging: contraception, STIs and infection checks, well-person exams, breast concerns, gender-affirming care, medication abortion and ultrasound, and procedural abortion.  We provide Pep and Prep, syphilis treatment, colposcopy and we offer LARC placement with IV sedation or nitrous oxide (coming soon!)


We provide thorough onboarding and have a tight-knit, supportive clinician group with midwifery leadership.  PPPSGV's care is trauma-informed and patient-centered, with autonomy at the core.  We are looking for a float clinician who likes something different each day.  


More info found HERE!


Questions?  email Sarah Egan, CNM, Director of Medical Services at segan@pppsgv.org.

(Want the scoop? email Mary Kern, CNM, FNP at mkern@pppsgv.org)


Birth Center Opportunities for New Grads

Practicing in a supportive birth center alongside experienced midwives can be transformative, building skills and confidence. All of the birth centers listed below (some located in rural areas) offer Fellowships or hiring opportunities for new graduates wishing to practice full-scope midwifery in a birth center setting.  Please reach out for more information. Full disclosure: The listing below is a preliminary draft and does not contain the full information on the possibilities of each site. When you make contact, ask each site lots of questions, such as, 'Is there a stipend?' Do you offer loan repayment? Is the ability to speak Spanish an absolute requirement, or do you also have translators? How flexible is the timing and length of the Fellowship? 

For any questions regarding this list, please contact Melanie Cabezas Phipps at mphippsm@gmail.com.


Birth centers offering Fellowships or hiring new graduates:

Acorn Community Birth and Wellness Center in Fallbrook, CA.  We are a CPM/CNM practice in the process of obtaining CABC accreditation and are always open to new midwives who would like to work at a higher-volume birth center serving a diverse ethnic and socio-economic population.  We are Medicaid providers and, as such, see a greater diversity of immigrant, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and lower socio-economic communities.  Located between San Diego and Riverside Counties.  Contact Cristi Lewis LM, CPM, Executive Director, at midwives@acornbirthcenter.com.


Astoria Birth Center & Family Medicine, a rural practice on the Oregon coast. Contact: Rebeckah Orton


The Birth Center in Newark, Delaware. Contact Julia Paulus


El Rio Health in Tucson, Arizona. Federally Qualified Health Center (FHQC) with a Fellowship program. We attend births in a hospital that has a CABC-accredited Alongside Midwifery Unit adjacent to an L&D unit, a good experience for physiologic birth, water births, newborn care, and early discharge. Contact: Greta Gill at GretaG@elrio.org

 

Full Circle Birth Center in Kasson, Minnesota. Contact: AnneMarie Schwanke


Holy Family Services Birth Center, located in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Fellowships are available to new graduates or seasoned nurse-midwives who wish to gain experience in out-of-hospital births and solidify their midwifery training.  We are an HRSA-designated site, which allows eligible staff to qualify for the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. Fellows serve for a minimum of 6 months - 2 years and are provided with stipends and housing. Contact: Brandi Kennedy at 956-969-2538.


The Midwife Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Contact: Emily McGahey, CNM


Nativiti Family Birth Center in The Woodlands, Texas (Houston suburb). We are open to hiring new grads and would love to offer fellowship opportunities (do not have that program at this time but would be open). Contact admin@nativiti.com Jami Hain, CNM


New Birth Wellness Center/New Birth Midwifery in Chaska, Minnesota. Contact: Jennifer Hall


Tender Gifts Birth & Wellness Center in Fort Collins and Grand Junction, Colorado. Contact: Althea Hrdlichka, hello@tendergiftsbirth.com, 866.218.5769


Twin Cities Birth Center + Women's Health Clinic, St. Paul, MN. 9-month fellowship program for CNMs and CPMs. Paid fellowship with health benefits, an education stipend, and paid time off. Contact: stephanie@twincitiesbc.com


To Our California Midwives:

Are you a birth center midwife OR a midwife who works in a rural setting? Do you offer Fellowships or hire new grads?  Midwives at the American Association of Birth Centers and the American College of Nurse-Midwives are compiling a Grand List, which will be distributed nationwide to our students and new midwifery grads who have expressed an interest in pursuing a midwifery Fellowship or working in a birth center, especially those in rural areas. Birth center Fellowships in urban settings are a great resource, too! This is a super opportunity to promote your beautiful birth center to those wishing to gain experience and confidence in practicing full-scope midwifery in a community setting. Please tell us where you are, what you can offer to new graduates, and a little something about your setting to Melanie Cabezas Phipps: mphippsm@gmail.com



Additional Information


Legal Aid at Work: Training on Paid Leave and Accommodations for Pregnant People


Hi everyone,


Thank you so much for joining Legal Aid at Work for our training on Paid Leave and Accommodations for Pregnant People, New Parents, and Family Caregivers in 2025. A recording of our training is available in  English here, and in Spanish here, and the slides are available here.


Please feel free to refer low-paid patients and clients working in California to our Work and Family Helpline at 800-880-8047,  confidential advice on workplace protections related to pregnancy, caregiving, or health conditions. Additionally, providers and community partners may call our helpline for technical assistance, or to request a training.


Email Katie (kwutchiett@legalaidatwork.org) or Natalia (ngottschalk@legalaidatwork.org) with questions or requests..


Here are some of the materials we highlighted:



You can also visit our website for additional factsheets on workplace rights for NICU families, foster parents, LGBTQ+ families, federal employees, family caregivers, dads, those experiencing reproductive loss, survivors of domestic violence, and more. Printed copies of our materials can be requested here.


Our goal is to make sure that families, especially those who are paid low wages, can access the leave and accommodations they need for their health and their family’s health without having to sacrifice their jobs or income. Don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything we can do to partner in this work!


All our best,


LAAW’s Work and Family Team


(Franchesca, Julia, Katie, Natalia, Sela, Sharon, Shazzy, and Victoria)


Volunteer Opportunities


Did You Have a Hard Time Finding a Preceptor?


To our new California midwifery grads: CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your midwifery program!  We are so proud and happy for you. Please remind yourself often of the great significance of your accomplishment and give yourself a big hug.  


CNMA’s Workforce Development and Educational Support (Co-chairs Melanie Cabezas Phipps and Kim Dau) are aware that many midwifery students, particularly those in distance-learning programs, have expressed (and continue to express) frustration, delays, and stress in finding preceptors. This is not a new issue, and we are actively working to improve the situation. California is the state with the most midwives of any state in our nation, so our work here impacts the entire profession. Let’s organize to change things so that our current and future students don't have to go through what so many of us did. With your help, we can make a difference. 


Tell us your narratives. If you had difficulty finding preceptors, please share your experience with us by emailing Melanie at mphippsm@gmail.com. What issues did you have? What happened, what could have happened and didn't (or did), what should have happened, what worked/didn't work, how would you like to see things change? Your thoughts, suggestions, and insights are greatly appreciated. All responses are kept in confidence. 



Membership Opportunities


MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: YOUR CNMA / ACNM MEMBERSHIP

Membership season is a great time to reflect on what it means to be part of a professional community that truly has your back.

If you're a current member — thank you. Your support fuels advocacy efforts, shapes policy, and strengthens the midwifery community across California and beyond. Not sure if your membership is active? Log in to My Portal on the ACNM website to check your status anytime.


If your membership has lapsed or you've been meaning to join, there's no better time than now. Becoming a member connects you to a network of peers, professional resources, and time-saving benefits — while your dues work behind the scenes to advance legislation that protects your practice and the families you serve.


Questions about membership? Write to us at membership@cnma.org — we're happy to help. Ready to join or renew? Click here.


Rural Maternal Health now on CONNECT

We've just started a new community on ACNM’s CONNECT networking platform for anyone interested in rural maternal health issues. This is a collaborative space for all those interested in advancing equitable, high-quality maternity care in rural communities. This all-members forum is set up to share resources, identify workforce and access challenges, highlight innovative models of care, and foster professional support among midwives serving rural populations. Please join, introduce yourself, and post your thoughts and questions about any rural maternal health issue you would like to explore. If you currently work in a rural setting, please share with us your day-to-day challenges, struggles, and triumphs, as well as your joyful moments and strategies for providing maternal/newborn care. We’re here to offer support and help you find ways to make your personal and professional life easier. Any questions on how to join, contact Melanie Cabezas Phipps at connect@acnm.org. 


Medi-Cal Rx


Sign up for the Medi-Cal Rx Subscription Service to be notified when new information is posted! See additional bulletins and news updates below:



Midwife Crush Mondays!


Do you know an amazing Midwife who is doing revolutionary work? We want to feature them on our social media platforms! 


CNMA is looking for submissions for our new social media series “Midwife Crush Monday” where we highlight the stories of trailblazing midwives across the industry who are making a difference in the midwifery profession. You can even submit yourself!

Here’s what we’re looking for: 

  • Midwife’s name (include pronouns)

  • Affiliated organization(s) 

  • Why you became a midwife (and anything awesome you’d like to brag about)

  • Headshot/Photo if available

  • Bonus: Please include social media handles for tagging!

Please send submissions to sm@cnma.org for consideration! 


You're receiving this communication because you are a current or former member of the ACNM/CNMA or because you signed up from the CNMA website.

 

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Copyright © CNMA 2026. 746 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. All rights reserved.


 
 
 

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CONTACTS

 

Questions on continuing education courses, including documentation for tuition reimbursement? Contact CONTINUING ED

 

Questions related to midwifery policy and practice? Contact advocacy@cnma.org.

 

Membership questions? Contact membership@cnma.org.

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General questions not covered above? Contact info@cnma.org.

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