To those in the mw-to-be program and other rambling

teachinmamaof4 · 10-28-2006, 07:39 PM

How are you liking it??? What are their requirements for apprenticeship? Do they have to approve your preceptor?

I was chatting with a mw and a couple doulas today at our homebirth meetup. One of the doulas is in this program now. It was exciting to find someone IRL who is doing it. She likes it so far. The other is getting ready to apply for the ATM program (Texas). My mw has gone through this one as well. I hear good things about both.

So now I can't decide. I'm leaning towards MW-to-be since it's more affordable right now and you can go at your own pace. I'd like to get started this coming year (I can't believe I just "said" that) and do an apprenticeship at the same time.

motherstouchdoula · 10-28-2006, 07:58 PM

What mw to be program are you looking at? I just found this one today newlifehomebirth.com I have been looking at aami too, but it is soooo spendy and I am poor

teachinmamaof4 · 10-28-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

I just found this one today newlifehomebirth.com I have been looking at aami too, but it is soooo spendy and I am poor

That's the one.... http://www.newlifehomebirth.com/midwifetobe2.htm

I was also considering AAMI. It is expensive but Carla runs specials ALL the time! However, the mw I talked to today (who's been a mw for years and is a NARM qualifying evaluator) said she doesn't know anyone who's finished their course. So I'm not looking at that program any more.

motherstouchdoula · 10-28-2006, 09:29 PM

Good to know, I have been looking around and a "friend" of mine is in the new life program she loves it and is very happy with it. I could be WAY off base, but imo I think your precieptor is where your going to get most of your skills/education from, and your book learnin (La, talk there) is just the basics.

Miss C. · 02-27-2007, 12:41 AM

I'm interested in the Midwife-to-be course too...I'd love to hear any info! It looks good to me so far!

1stimestar · 02-27-2007, 01:36 AM

So, just like I would tell a doula client. Ask a lot of questions. Ask them how many entrants they have. Ask them how many graduates they have. Ask them how many of their graduates from the last 10 years are still practicing. How many go on to pass the NARM? Good luck.

loveslabor · 02-27-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teachinmamaof4

How are you liking it??? What are their requirements for apprenticeship? Do they have to approve your preceptor?

I was chatting with a mw and a couple doulas today at our homebirth meetup. One of the doulas is in this program now. It was exciting to find someone IRL who is doing it. She likes it so far. The other is getting ready to apply for the ATM program (Texas). My mw has gone through this one as well. I hear good things about both.

So now I can't decide. I'm leaning towards MW-to-be since it's more affordable right now and you can go at your own pace. I'd like to get started this coming year (I can't believe I just "said" that) and do an apprenticeship at the same time.

I didn't realize that Midwife-to-be was a full out midwifery program. I was under the impression that it was just the beginnings of a midwifery education...kinda like Elizabeth Davis' Heart and Hands Intensives are just a portion of National Midwifery Institute's curriculum.

helpinghands · 02-27-2007, 12:36 PM

MTB is a full program.. but each student's path will look a bit differently based on many factores. 1.) The state she lives in and the legality of midwifery can determine the availabilty of finding a preceptor, etc. There are still study options and such for skills if you live in a very restrictive state..but it is easier if you live in a legal state, of course. The NARM skills handbook goes through skills step by step, as does Varney's.. there are certain skills you would probably not be able to "practice" even if you had an apprenticeship (For example.. is it ethical to cut an episiotomy just so you have the skill?? Noooo.. .but the skills guide would tell you what to do in an emergancy.. same with emergency infant resus. etc.) Lisa offers skills weekends but she is working on getting approval for Alaska..which requires that a distance ed. option also be available for the skills..so she is working on that for students who cant make the hands on skills weekends. You also have the option of supplementing your education in sooo many ways.. similar to AAMI but a bit simpler when it boils down. I think it is important to remember that a good midwife never stops learning simply because school is "done". It is important to remember that, I think.. and I think that the MTB is a good option..AAMI is good too,FWIW.. and there are others out there. Do your homework and find a course that fits your goals.

loveslabor · 02-27-2007, 01:05 PM

You're right. I must just be used to looking at programs that the state of California accepts. The medical board would not approve this one as a full education, I'm sure. It seems California has very high standards. Too bad though....$800 is way cheaper than the $12,000 that I'm looking at for NMI.

This MTB curriculum looks a lot like the Heart and Hands Intensive stuff. I like the work at your own pace thing and the provided book list, but since I've already gone through a lot of that stuff, I guess it wouldn't be worth it for me to take. Rats.

helpinghands · 02-27-2007, 02:56 PM

What sort of midwifery program are you looking for? Are you looking for more hands on/clinical type stuff? Maybe a weekend skills intensive with MTB or the Farm or something similar would work well? I hope that you can find what you need.

Later,