Midwife to Be "Midwifery School"
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 10:37AM I just learned about a school for women (people) who want to be midwives called Midwife to Be. It’s based in South Carolina, but students can take the “classes” anywhere in the world. (I’ll stop using quotes, but know they are there throughout the post.)
Just skimming the website, I am horrified anyone would pay for this incredibly inferior education (boy, do I want those quotes!).
Starting with typos, if someone can’t spell, use apostrophes, commas, dashes or know when to capitalize… or use Spell/GrammarCheck… or, as a last resort, hire an editor… how can you trust they know how to teach life-saving skills? I mean, if a midwife doesn’t know how to spell HIPAA or Chux pads correctly, she hasn’t been paying attention.
And checking off pages in the Practical Skills Guide is, not only subjective depending on the preceptor, but also completely independent of any oversight.
I won’t even begin to address the arrogance of going to other countries, scouting out high-volume hospitals to practice on women… because it makes me nauseous.
I’m embarrassed this school uses the name midwife.
Reader Comments (14)
I thought at first, you were talking about another Midwife(ry) to Be program ALSO based in Cali. HA!
I met someone recently who is "attending" this school. I will say this... the person's reasons for why she chose that school was enough to tell me that the "school" itself would be better titled "study program." I don't have a problem with people doing study programs in areas that interest them... I will openly admit that I am doing one such midwifery study program. But that's the extent of what I consider i. I am learning a lot of interesting book knowledge, but I do not consider for one minute that this type of "education" makes me eligible or educated enough to start calling myself a midwife and catching babies. That's about where I would rank this Midwife to Be program, study program at best, irresponsible and reckless at worst.
At least she admits that the students "will have to piece your training together as midwives before you have done." It would be worse IMO if she was suggesting her school be able to offer the full package. And I totally get that piecing your training together on your own results in massive black holes in your education, so don't worry... I'm with you on this, NgM. Standardized education leads to knowing what you are getting with your care provider. You don't have to wonder if your own midwife to be took anatomy classes or understands HIPAA.
That's disgusting. That sort of irresponsible "midwifery" is what makes people think you're all hippy-dippies who show up to births with only herb teas and moonstones. Someone is going to die as a result of this bullcrap.
Me: Which one is that?
I am 110% with you Barb. I can *not* believe I was ever enrolled at Midwife To Be - it sickens me to realize how blind and stupid I was. Thankfully, I am far, far, far away from that place now.
This just makes me cringe to think of all these women a. thinking they are getting an education in exchange for their money and b. thinking they have had an education as they're setting up shop to deliver other women's babies. Another thing that makes me cringe? The number of times I've seen this recommended to someone looking for a cheap way to become a midwife.
Next can you tackle AAMI? Pretty, pretty please?
That study program looks awful. A weekend class covering the entirety of well-woman care, paps, etc? We spend an entire day on EACH of the skills listed, and that's only classroom time - we aren't allowed to count any of that classroom experience towards the NARM. We have to do 40 supervised paps just to graduate!
Emily - Yes, there are "skills weekends" every so often where you can get the hands on skills. Many of the skills you can simply "check off" by watching youtube videos, etc... There is *no* classroom time apart from those "skills weekends". There aren't even any lectures or webinars or anything - not a single thing. Everything is self-study.
Are you studying to become a CPM? What school are you working through?
Unless you're enrolled in AAMI, you can't see their cirriculum in its entirety. It is also called an ACADEMIC course and says it is not meant to replace hands-on skills. I am pretty sure they offer weekend skill labs, but its a "get familiar" deal, not "get proficient" deal to help make aspiring midwives more marketable as apprentices. MTB looks like it's mostly a self-directed study, and while that's great for some, it allows for holes because you can't study what you don't already know about, or at least know to look for. I know a few AAMI graduates who work in my community and I am impressed by them. I'm just a doula, but I feel more comfortable working with them than many other CNMs or CPMs in my area. They both agreed that they felt very well prepared when it came time to start apprenticing, and both passed their NARM exam the first time around... Don't judge a book by its cover... You will only get out what you put in, no matter what program you choose. Obviously others may offer more, but ultimately, it's up to the "midwife" to decide how much she wants to learn. :-)
Just wanted to say that I followed your blog religiously when I was a CPM student and new midwife, and you really opened my eyes and helped me drum up the courage to change my path. . I am graduating next month with my RN- only 4+ more years until I am a CNM!
I love my CPM colleagues, but the educational system for DEM/CPMs in the U.S. needs some serious overhaul. There is not nearly enough consistency or oversight for such an important profession.
BRAVO Jennifer.
I am currently enrolled in M2B, just started first unit & already I can't handle the spelling & grammar mistakes. I wish I would have found your blog before I signed up. At least I'm only out $50!
Anyone have an opinion on WomanCraft Midwifery in MA?
Erin, I think the answer is becoming a CNM. Especially if the "midwifery school" isn't MEAC-accredited, you are going to get crap for an education. Even the MEAC-accredited schools are hit and miss. Becoming a CNM is the only sure way to get an education that is clearly quality and one that will be worth your while.
If you have to ask, the answer is don't bother.