Midwifery education dilemma...?

I have my B.A. in a non-health related field, but have focused my education and post-grad research on global reproductive health. I'm now interested in going back to school for midwifery certification and need advice on the best course of action. Ideally I would get my Nurse-Midwife (CNM) certification, but I have absolutely no formal nursing training. Will I need to get this first, or are there programs that allow me to enter without it? I am primarily looking in Iowa or for a distance-education option. Financial assistance would also be a plus. Any advice on going to a non-accredited school? How will this affect my ability to take the certification exam? Do I need to become re-certified in every state or are Certified Practicing Midwife (CPM) credentials acknowledged everywhere once I pass the exam? What's the job demand like for CPMs versus CNMs? Thanks!

If you want to be a CNM you must be have a B.Sc. in Nursing then do the CNM Masters program in Nursing afterwards. There are no bridging programs for people with B.A.s Sorry. You must have a degree in Nursing first. You are looking at 5 to 6 more years in college. I think your best bet is a direct entry midwifery program leading to a CPM / LM designation. You must check with your own state regarding the legality of direct entry midwives. Some states do not allow direct entry midwives to practise.
Check out the Ancient Art Midwifery Institute in California. ( www.ancientartmidwifery.com ) You can do some of the courses by distance ed but you will have to apprentice with a practising Midwife in order to write your exams. Iowa may or may not license Midwives trained by this school. Check first.
The oldest direct entry Midwifery school in the USA is the Seattle Midwifery School ( www.seattlemidwifery.org ).
A great on line resource is www.midwiferytoday.com Your skills as a Midwife will definitely be in demand as more women are choosing Midwife attended births. Good luck in your Midwifery studies.