Unifying midwifery and improving access to midwifery care in North Carolina
NCMERA is a collaborative work group of four state midwifery organizations dedicated to the advancement of midwifery in North Carolina.
We are:
The North Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
The North Carolina Midwives Alliance
The North Carolina Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives
The North Carolina Friends of Midwives
Our Beginning
NCMERA was formed by an alliance between North Carolina Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) who were inspired by the work of US MERA to create a new vision of integrated midwifery practice and accessibility in our state.
Since 2016, NCMERA has been busy formulating this shared vision for NC midwifery. Our common belief that safety and outcomes are improved when midwives work together with one another, and with the greater healthcare system, is supported by research and is the driving force behind our organization and the work we are doing on behalf of the mothers, babies, and midwives of North Carolina.
NC MERA operates in a spirit of trust and cooperation.
Our Vision
The vision of NC MERA is to make a positive impact on NC maternity care that will improve the health of all women and their families in the state of North Carolina by setting standards for midwifery education leading to entry-level certification for all midwives and supporting legislation leading to regulation that incorporates these standards.
Our Mission
The mission of NC MERA is to elevate and grow the profession of midwifery in North Carolina by applying the ICM Standards to the education and practice of midwifery through collaboration and support of professional associations concerned with these issues in our state.
Our Purpose
The purpose of NC MERA is to:
Create a shared vision for North Carolina midwifery within a national and global context by aligning with the three Pillars of the ICM Global Standards
Generate an action plan for collaboration to strengthen and promote the profession of midwifery in the state of North Carolina.
Make a positive impact on NC maternity care that will improve the health of all women and their families and promote normal physiologic birth.
“Poor coordination of care across providers and birth settings has been associated with adverse maternal-newborn outcomes.”
— Vedam S, Stoll K, MacDorman M, Declercq E, Cramer R, Cheyney M, et al. (2018)
NC MERA is an independent midwifery alliance of North Carolina midwives and is not an official affiliate or entity of US MERA.