03/26/2026
In 2019 I offered an apprenticeship to Jen with Sacred Space, and she attended 4 births with me over the course of a few months, before deciding to stop and focus on her family. There was NO apprenticeship with Geneabirth at all until 2024. From Sept 2024-August 2025 she attended 17 births with Geneabirth. There were no emergency situations at any of these births or handled by her at these births.
The PEP process to become a certified professional midwife takes anywhere from 2-5 years. Students attend a certain number of births as an assistant and then as a primary midwife under supervision, which is about 50 births altogether. In my practice, I am very clear 100 births is ideal and will give a good baseline of knowledge. Midwifery care and doula care are not the same thing and have a very different skill set. There is also a long skills sheet, skills exam and written test at the end of the PEP process. During this training you're able to have a midwife help to guide you, as well as be there when you're facing new challenges. Ideally you have seen and handled all emergencies that happen in a birth setting, from managing a hemorrhage, resuscitation and shoulder dystocia, to knowing when more help is needed and transport is appropriate. You also navigate prenatal and postnatal issues and refer when needed.
When you are done with your apprenticeship, you are sent forth with the blessing of your preceptor.
The beauty of homebirth is that there are many types of midwives, just like there are many types of people, all with unique life experiences. It is also something women and families have fought hard to make legal in Minnesota and it should be protected. Traditional midwifery doesn't need certification or licensure in Minnesota, which is only one of two places that offer that.
I think different types of paths to midwifery remain important. As her previous preceptor, I did not feel that her apprenticeship was complete. I did not give my blessing to Jen and while I cannot speak to what she is telling people, I don't want Geneabirth to become entangled with any future outcomes.
Sarah Kelly, CPM, LM
Geneabirth
