Orientation (.6 cr) Introduction to the Birthwise facility, program, and policies. Group building exercises. Discussion of the philosophy of midwifery. Tips for succeeding at Birthwise.

History and Politics of Midwifery (1 cr) Historical overview of childbirth and midwives, including a political history of the profession, with a particular focus on the United States.

Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives (4.0 cr) Overview of anatomy of the human body and basic physiology of each body system including the effects of pregnancy.

Physical Assessment (1.6 cr) Physical examination techniques for women. Skills: Complete physical exam.

Normal Prenatal (3.0 cr) Embryology, fetal development, nutrition, pregnancy induced changes, normal parameters of pregnancy. Skills: Prenatal exams, charting, nutritional counseling

Normal Labor and Birth (3.2 cr) Birth process, midwifery management, support measures, normal parameters of birth. Skills: Aseptic technique, universal precautions, catheterization, O2 therapy, AROM, labor checks, episiotomy, injections, suturing.

Nutrition and Supplementation (2.0 cr) A study of the nutrient categories and their role in health. Ways to achieve optimal nutrition from food. When and how to use supplements for therapeutic results.

Post Partum (1.6 cr) Involution, lactation, PP psychology, PP nutrition, deviations from normal. Skills: Postpartum exams, estimating blood loss.

Prenatal Complications (3.3 cr) Deviations from a normal prenatal course and its midwifery management.

Complications of Labor and Birth (4.0 cr) Deviations from a normal intrapartum course and its midwifery management. Skills: Treatment of shock, IV use.

The Art of Traditional Midwifery (1.0 cr) This is a weekend retreat with a traditional midwife. Students learn the culture of a traditional practice by immersion into her environment.

Normal Newborn (2.4 cr) Normal newborn behavior, assessment, nutritional needs, complications and abnormalities. As part of this course students will become certified in Neonatal Resuscitation. Skills: Apgar scoring, newborn exam, newborn resuscitation, suction techniques.

Hospital Birth (.4 cr) Familiarity with rights, procedures, equipment, medications, and current protocol in the hospital maternity department. Also discusses good home to hospital transport etiquette.

Lab work (1.2 cr) Indications for, risks and benefits of all the routine and optional tests available to pregnant women and their newborns. Skills: Use of the microscope for simple labwork, venipuncture, cultures.

Pharmacology (1.2 cr) Indications for, administration, risks and benefits of medications used in childbirth.

Well Woman Care (1.6 cr) Contraception, menopause, gyne problems, infertility, STI’s.

Botanicals (1.6 cr) Introduction to medicinal plants with a special focus on women’s herbs. Plant identification and how to make medicinal preparations will be covered.

Homeopathy (.8 cr) Introduction to homeopathy with a special focus on its use in pregnancy, birth, post partum and with the newborn.

Professional Issues (4.2 cr) This is a three part course which addresses the following practice issues for midwives: Internet research; Charting; Providing Excellent Informed Choice; Legal, Political and Ethical Issues; The Business of Midwifery, Professional Responsibilities, Cultural Competency, Research methods.

Group Process(.6 cr) Six 1 1/2 hour processing sessions where students are able to process their journey towards midwifery, build closer connections with sister students, learn conflict resolution skills, learn group facilitation and practice basic active listening skills together through experience.

Counseling and Women's Health (1.0 cr) Five sessions for theoretical learning in the following areas: Counseling techniques, information gathering, and working with women with personality disorders, depression, eating disorders, trauma histories.

Independent Research Project (3.0 cr) Students choose a relevant topic to research, write a paper, and present orally with the guidance of a faculty member.

Breast-feeding for Birth workers Seminar(.4 cr)
How to assist a client in establishing her nursing relationship with her baby and consult with clients when problems arise.

Water Birth Seminar (.4 cr)
The benefits, potential risks, and how-tos of water birth.

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Seminar(.4 cr)
What are the risks, how to minimize them, and the current controversy surrounding VBAC.

How to Run a Freestanding Birth Center (.4 cr)
The logistical, financial, and legal aspects of opening a birth center.

Skills Practice Days (4.4 cr)
Monthly sessions devoted to integrating learned material through review, hands on skill development, and case studies

Elective Courses

Some variation in these course offerings may occur depending on teacher availability.

• Cervical Cap Fitting Training (.2 cr)
• Natural Family Planning (.2 cr)
• Sexual Abuse and Pregnancy and Birth
  
• Massage for Labor (.4 cr)
• Advanced Botanicals (.8 cr)
• Advanced Homeopathy (.4 cr)
• Group Prenatals (.4 cr)
• Advanced Suturing (.3 cr)
• Prenatal Yoga (.4 cr)
• Spanish for Midwives (1 cr)
• Cooking with Whole Foods (1 cr)
• Survey Methods (.8 cr)
• Good Grief (.4 cr)
• Green Birth and Parenting (.4 cr)
• Childbirth Education for Pregnant Women and Their Partners (.8 cr)
• Faith Traditions (.4 cr)
• Book Club (.4 cr)
• Placenta Medicine (.2 cr)
  

The Clinical Courses

• Clinical Rotation I (2.0 cr)
  Fall start program only. Beginning clinical placement 6-8 hours per week.
• Clinical Rotation II (2.0 cr)
  Fall start program only. Clinical placement of 6-8 hours per week.  
• Clinical Rotation III (4.0 cr) This clinical experience is during the fourth academic semester of our Fall start program only. Students relocate to sites around New England to begin their transition from the academic program to the preceptorship. Classes are held 4 consecutive days per month in addition to 8-10 hours per week of clinical experience. Some students will extend this rotation into their preceptorship. Schedule and locations will vary.
  
• Preceptorship Original Program (38.0 cr)This is where the bulk of the student's clinical learning takes place. This is an apprenticeship with a midwife of the student's choosing and for most students is located outside the state of Maine. The length of this portion of the program varies according to the volume of experience the student receives.
• Preceptorship Apprenticeship program. (46.0 cr)
  With its emphasis on primary care in a midwifery practice, this phase is designed to enable students to build confidence and proficiency in skills and be exposed to continuity of care in an out-of-hospital setting. Part of this component may be an intensive field experience in one of several busy clinics available, some in foreign countries.