Make Cara a Midwife

Hi! I'm Cara Grigsby, and I am a student midwife in Knoxville, TN who is ever-so-close to graduation. One of the biggest hurdles to becoming a midwife in the United States is the cost. So, at the urging of family and friends, I'm asking for help!

The path to licensure for CPMs (Certified Professional Midwives) asks a lot of us emotionally, physically, and financially. As I already had a degree before starting midwifery school, I was not eligible for Pell Grants or federal loans. Along with classes and studying, there is rigorous clinical training. I have had the privilege of doing my preceptorship (clinical requirements) at Roots and Wings Midwifery, a busy home birth practice in my community. Being a student in a preceptorship is a full-time job, but our payment is in signatures for our paperwork. Because I do prenatal and postpartum appointments in the office during the week and am on call for births 24/7, it is impossible to have a regular job while going to school. It is a sacrifice I, and my family, have been willing to make, but gas, childcare, textbooks, scrubs, tuition, application fees, test fees, and supply/equipment costs add up fast. Below is a breakdown of what my goal of $6000 will cover.

NARM application- $1200

NARM exam- $1500

State licensing application

Supplies- $3000

(See below for what our cars look like as we have to bascially be a mobile clinic at all times!)

Our country is in the midst of a maternal health crisis. You would think that being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, with some of the most advanced medicine, the U.S. rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity would be the lowest of the low. However, in 2020 we ranked 82nd in the world for maternal mortality, and our rates for newborns is no better. There are more reasons why we are failing birthing people and babies than I can explain here (let's go to coffee if you want to know more!). It is a massive and intricate problem that would take overhauling our entire medical system to solve, but what researchers and experts will tell you is that it starts with having more midwives.

Being a part of changing maternal and infant health throughout the United States is part of the big picture of why I want to do this. On a smaller, but just as significant scale, it's the people, the parents and babies, that I work with. I believe that birth is some of the holiest space that humans can enter in a lifetime. It is transformitive for everyone involved, regarless of the series of events that unfold. For this transformation to be positive, every single person giving birth deserves dignity, autonomy over their bodies and care, and a provider that is skilled and experienced in physiological birth and how to manage emergencies when they arise. I hope to bring midwifery to more families of every shape and form in Knoxville. I want to create a safe space where you are honored for exactly who you are. I want people of all genders, race, spiritualities, and sexulatirs to know that you have an option for midwifery care that sees you, is for you, and will provide individualized and excellent care just for you. Thank you all for helping me do this.