Option 1: Doula (Active Observer) – 8-Weeks
The Doula placement is 8-weeks in duration and includes: pre-departure orientation (online) including basic overview of birth education and doula care, 1-week orientation upon arrival, including doula support training (non-clinical) and 7-week rotation as doula (non-clinical/observation only) in a US Birth Center under supervision of midwives. Students will act as a birth doula at approximately 10 births (births not guaranteed) and will spend 10-15 hours/week in clinical rotations, observing midwifery care during for pregnancy, postpartum & newborn and birth education for expecting families. Pre-Requisites: MWS 0101, MWS 0201, CAM 0101, CAM 0201, LPD 0101, LPD 0201.
Option 2: Monitrice (Assistant Midwife) – 12-Week Blocks
The Monitrice placement in 12-week blocks in duration and includes: pre-departure orientation (online), 1-week orientation upon arrival, 1-week basic skills training, instructed by approved preceptors (half-days) and 10-weeks on-call as assistant midwife under supervision of approved preceptors. During the 10-week rotations, students will gain approximately 250 clinical contact hours (20 hours/week) as assistant midwife via regularly scheduled clinics for prenatal, postpartum & newborn exams; and students will serve in the role of on-call, assistant midwife at approximately 20 births (births not guaranteed) under the supervision of an approved preceptor. Pre-Requisites: MWS 0101, MWS 0201, CAM 0101, CAM 0201, LPD 0101, LPD 0201, documentation of 250 clinical contact hours and 10 births as observer.
Option 3: Internship (Primary Under Supervision) – 12-Week Blocks
The Internship placement is 12-weeks in duration and includes: 1 week orientation upon arrival; 1-week basic skills training (half-days), instructed by approved preceptors; and 10-weeks on-call as primary midwife under supervision of an approved preceptor. During the 10-week rotation, students will gain approximately 250 clinical contact hours (20 hours/week) as a primary midwife under supervision via regularly scheduled clinics for prenatal, postpartum & newborn exams and will serve as on-call, primary midwife under supervision for approximately 20 births (births not guaranteed). Pre-Requisites: MWS 0101, MWS 0201, CAM 0101, CAM 0201, LPD 0101, LPD 0201, PRAC 1000 and documentation of 750 clinical contact hours as an assistant midwife and verification of basic midwifery skills by an approved preceptor.
Current Opening: Birthing Your Way, Utah USA
Ideal for Holistic Doula and Holistic Midwifery students who want to observe and reflect upon maternal healthcare delivery systems in the United States, including: the rise of midwifery and out-of-hospital birthing options; models of women-centered care and informed consent; and the role of labor support (doula care) in reducing interventions and improving birth outcomes. Preceptors are approved by NARM and may be Certified Nurse Midwives or Certified Professional Midwives.
Cost
Students seeking out-of-hospital midwifery or doula experience often feel overwhelmed by the prospect of securing a preceptor or doula mentor. Gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to become a competent midwife or doula for as little as $35 per day, including a shared room, on-site at the birth center. Costs arranged and paid directly to the birth center.
“This program is part of my path to becoming a birth professional who strives to make birth safe for all women around the world. ”
— Experiential Learning Abroad Student
Admissions
Apprenticeships are arranged in free-standing facilities where midwives work as autonomous care providers in an out-of-hospital setting. Placement at Birthing Your Way not guaranteed, available based on space at the clinic. Applicants must be enrolled in the Holistic Doula or Holistic Midwifery program to apply. If you are interested in adding this option to your program enrollment upon admission, please contact our Admissions Coordinator. If you are already enrolled in a Birth Institute program, please contact your course instructor to discuss birth center apprenticeship options.