The Education Process

I hope to begin my midwifery education next year! I have been interested in childbirth and midwifery for as long as I can remember, and in the last few months I have been researching the type of education I want to pursue.

As I begin my search for an education program, here are some things I have learned:

  1. Research what kind of certification you will need to practice in your state (the State of California’s website has a detailed description of the necessary licensure)
  2. Spend some time on Google searching for schools, midwives, and birth centers
  3. Visit midwives’ websites or in person, and find out where they went to school
  4. Learn as much as possible – read books, attend conferences, etc.
  5. Look for experience you can obtain now (for example, I started volunteering at a local birth center)

Share your ideas, and we can all learn from each other as we continue the journey toward becoming a midwife!

6 Responses to “The Education Process”

  1. Julie Says:
    Also, knowing what kind of learning works best for YOU is important. I know a few people who are not ultra-organized and self-motivated people who did a distance-only make-your-own-deadlines schooling and it has not worked out. I need flexibility and in person training so I am going to Seattle Midwifery where part of it is online and 1 week a month is on location. My children are young (3 and 1.5) so this seems best. Consider getting "The Paths To Becoming A Midwife", it's excellent and well worth the read and price. Gives you some great insight on what type of midwife (CNM, LM, CPM, etc.) that you want to be and why, where... Good luck and thanks for sharing your blog. ~Julie (MW Today)
  2. Bethany Says:
    Thank you so much for the comment, Julie! You are right that it is so important to think about what kind of learning works best for you. I enjoy the distance learning approach, but I know that the success of that kind of program will depend on finding a good preceptor for my hands-on experience. Good luck with your schooling in Seattle - I've heard good things about that program!
  3. ashleigh Says:

    hi im ashleigh and i have just started college i am starting my 2nd year at college in june i am concentrating loads hopeing to become a midwife. if you have any information what will help me become that little bit closer to midwifery please add me to miss-pink-2007@hotmail.co.uk thankyou. x

  4. shaniqua mccarty Says:

    hi i am shaniqua. how long will i have to go to school if i just wanna be a mid-wife. i am a sophmore in high school and i have been doing sone reasearch on OB/GYN and i can’t do all of those years but i want to be in the medical field dealing with the birth of children. can you tell me wat to do

  5. Grace Says:

    I’m with shaniqua. I want to know what is best for me. I can do the years I just want to know if it’s right for me. I’m worries about malpractice suits with Midwifery, and on the other hand I’m not wanting to necessarily deal with the gyn part of things. So anyone with info or advise pleace contact me.

  6. Crystal Kehn Says:

    Hi! I am so excited as I read through your blog entries! I feel like I could have written so many of them myself! My husband and I are missionaries in Uganda. We have two boys Asher 2 yrs 4 months and Stephen (who we are adopting) is 14 months. I have been focusing on caring for abandoned babies for the last year but have been really disappointed that I haven’t received more calls. I have also been looking into becoming a midwife. Birthing here is very similar to what you described seeing in Haiti. I was wondering if you could send me an email with your favorite books about becoming a midwife! I’ve been doing some research, but I’d like to get some recommendations before I jump into buying anything! Thanks for any help! In Him, Crystal

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