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 Aspiring Midwives and Birth Assistants It is not enough to be in love with the experience of birth, nor is it acceptable to be fixated on a "movement". We must study, acquire an incredible amount of skills and experience.
Bottom Line: - You value (emotionally, physically and spiritually) what you pay for .
- Becoming a midwife is serious business. Commit your
mind to a minimum of 4 years of student work/study/clinical skills. Be
cognizant of the time and financial commitment on your family.
- Spend the money to get good quality texts, resources, equipment, education and training.
- Consider becoming a Lactation Consultant, Childbirth Educator or Doula (labor or postpartum).
- Consider getting your EMT certification.
- Diadatic course study, consider a MEAC approved midwifery school. Many states are basing licensure not only on NARM certification but MEAC approved schools for education.
- Volunteer with as many midwives, with as many clients and in as many birth
settings as possible. This means clean up, assisting, labor support, ect.... From each client and midwife, you are given a piece of your
personal puzzle. You will be a much more well rounded midwife.
- When pondering an apprenticeship, possess knowledge and
skills that will show your value and level of commitment. Do NOT steer
away from an apprenticeship that requires a preceptor fee. A senior
midwife is investing time, money and expertise in you. You value what
you pay for. Be very scrutizing in who you choose to preceptor/mentor you. If you have a check in your spirit.... find someone else. The goal is well rounded excellence.
- NARM Standards are just that, general standards. To be a knowledgeable competent midwife your goal is to have 2-3x the standard. Spend the money to get the copious amount of skills and experience.
- Consider an internship at Casa de Naciemeto in El Paso Tx. There, you will gain raw clinical skills. It requires a time and financial commitment.... but well worth it in learning clinical skills. There are other programs out there, be very scrutinizing....be proactive.
- Join local and national midwifery organizations (Big Push for Midwives, MANA, ect....)
- Attend as many conferences and workshops as you possibility can. (Karen Strange's Newborn resuscitation course, Waterbirth International, state organized events, etc....).
- Record in a notebook all your experiences (date, names, events).
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