Support Alexis Midwifery Journey!
Midwife Student Serving East Tennessee
Thank you for your generous support!
Your donation is more than just financial assistance—it’s a direct investment in the future of maternal healthcare and in the empowerment of a Black student midwife right here in Tennessee. With your help, I can continue my midwifery education, purchase essential supplies, and cover the costs of exams and licensure. Your contribution not only brings me closer to achieving my dream, but it also helps close the critical gaps in care that too often lead to maternal and infant mortality. Together, we’re making a lasting impact. Thank you for being part of this journey!
About My Journey
Why am I asking for support?
I am asking for support to help me complete my midwifery education and cover the costs associated with becoming a certified midwife. I’m passionate about this career, but the financial burden of tuition, supplies, and the NARM exam fees is significant. Your support will help relieve this stress and allow me to focus fully on my studies and clinical practice.
How will your support help?
Your support will allow me to complete my midwifery program without the constant worry of financial barriers. It will enable me to focus on gaining the clinical experience and knowledge I need to serve families as a qualified midwife. By easing this financial burden, you’re also helping ensure that I can move forward with the
NARM application and exam, which are necessary for certification.
How can you contribute to my journey?
Your support will not only help me achieve my personal dream of becoming a midwife but will also have a lasting impact on the families I will care for throughout my career. By investing in me, you’re investing in the future of maternal healthcare, particularly for underserved and Black communities. Together, we can make a difference in reducing disparities and promoting safe, informed, and respectful care for all.
What is my passion as a student midwife?
My passion lies in providing compassionate, personalized care to mothers and babies, especially in underserved communities. I believe every family deserves safe, respectful, and informed care during pregnancy and birth. As a Black midwife, I am committed to addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly within Black communities, by offering culturally competent and holistic care.
What impact will your support make?
Your support will not only help me achieve my personal dream of becoming a midwife but will also have a lasting impact on the families I will care for throughout my career. By investing in me, you’re investing in the future of maternal healthcare, particularly for underserved and Black
communities. Together, we can make a difference in reducing disparities and promoting safe, informed, and respectful care for all.
Why is midwifery important?
Midwifery is important to me because it represents a holistic, empowering approach to maternal healthcare. Midwives play a
crucial role in supporting healthy pregnancies, reducing intervention rates, and improving outcomes for both mothers and babies. For the community, especially Black families, midwifery care can help address the significant disparities in maternal mortality and birth outcomes. As a Black midwife, I aim to be a part of this positive change and provide culturally relevant care that builds trust and safety.
The Legacy of Black “Granny” Midwives
Black midwives, often referred to as “Granny” midwives, played a crucial role in the health and survival of Black communities from the era of slavery through the mid-20th century. These women were central to birthing practices, especially in the rural South, where healthcare access was limited. They provided holistic, culturally sensitive care, blending traditional practices with medical knowledge
passed down through generations. Recognizing this legacy is essential to understanding how midwives have historically been pillars in their communities, and how today’s Black midwives continue this work. Supporting Black student midwives helps preserve this invaluable tradition and ensures that culturally competent care continues to be available.
Racial Disparities in
Maternal Health
community-based care that builds trust and addresses the specific needs of mothers. Donating to Black student midwives is an investment in tackling these disparities and improving maternal outcomes in Black communities.
The Marginalization and Revival of Black Midwifery
During the mid-20th century, the medicalization of childbirth and the rise of hospital births led to the marginalization of midwives, especially Black midwives. Regulatory laws and discriminatory practices pushed Black midwives out of the profession. However, the recent resurgence of interest in midwifery, particularly within the Black community, is a response to the current maternal health crisis. Black midwives are reclaiming their place as vital healthcare providers, but the barriers to entry into the profession remain high, especially due to financial constraints. Supporting Black student midwives is crucial in reversing this history of exclusion and ensuring that more Black midwives enter the field to serve their communities.
These topics not only showcase the rich history and importance of Black midwives but also underscore why financial support is vital for future generations of Black midwives to thrive and make a lasting impact.
Fundraising Goal: $10,000
NARM Exam and Application Fees
North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Application and Exam Fee (First Attempt): $1,200
This covers the cost of applying for and sitting the exam to become a certified professional midwife.
NARM Re-examination Fee (Second Attempt): $600
If a re-exam is necessary, the cost is lower but still significant.
CPM Licensing & Certification
NARM Certification Fee: $150
Tennessee Midwifery Licensing Fee: $750
Tennessee requires midwives to obtain state licensure. The licensure fee in Tennessee includes application processing, background checks, and other administrative costs.
Renewal Fee (Every 2 Years): $300 – $500
The state of Tennessee requires CPMs to renew their licenses biannually, which involves continuing education and fees.
Midwifery Supplies and Equipment
Midwifery Student Kits: $500 – $2,000
Includes necessary tools like fetoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, dopplers, sterile gloves, and birthing kits.
Birth and Clinical Assistant Supplies: $500 – $1,000
Covers personal supplies for attending births, such as birth bags, safety gear, and clinical tools for hands-on training.
Liability Insurance for Student Midwives: $500 – $1,000 (annually)
Required by some programs and preceptors for students attending births in clinical training settings.
Miscellaneous Costs
Travel for Clinical Training: $500 – $2,000
(annually)
Depending on where clinical work or births take place, travel expenses can add up, especially in rural areas or if clinical sites are spread out.
Midwifery Varneys Book: $300
CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation Training: $100 – $300
Required certifications for practicing midwives to attend births in Tennessee.
Donate To Alexis’s Journey
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Alexis Alsup
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@Alexis-Alsup-2
Mail Checks To:
Alexis Alsup
3239 Shropshire Blvd
PO BOX 74 Powell, TN, 37849