midwife apprentices

[bellymama]

how did you become one? did you approach your mentor? what steps did you take towards this?
i have a midwife in mind who it would be so amazing to apprentice under, but i am not sure how to approach it...she was my midwife, and a good friend, so i don't know if i want to flat out ask her:"hey would you ever consider me as an apprentice?" because i don't want to put her in an awkward position.
anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated.

[courtenay_e]

Well, I'd have a plan in place. I'd figure out whether you want to study through a specific course or through self study. I'd have a timeline...do you want to study at the same time you're working with your preceptor, or would you like to finish your studies and THEN work with your preceptor? If you have a plan of action, and go to her with that...saying, perhaps, "I've decided to study with AAMI. I'll be done in about two years if I'm able to stay on track with my studies. Would you be willing to accept me as an apprentice [now, in six months, in a year, in two years]? I really respect how you practice and would love to learn from you." Too, you may want to get involved in the midwifery community in general in your area before you approach her, to show her you're committed...

[Charmie981]

The apprentice/preceptor relationship can be really difficult and although my current apprentice was a good friend before she was my apprentice, I had to think LONG AND HARD before i was okay with training her. Some midwives aren't okay with training someone who is already a close friend, so I'd be prepared for that possibility.

Oh, and ITA with everything the pp said. I'm much more likely to seriously consider someone who can say "here's what I've been donig in the birth community and here's my long-term plan." Although I know that plan will probably change, I like seeing that someone is thinking about the long term.

[Maggi315]

I actually answered an ad on a yahoo group when i found out it was a local midwife. i just showed up at clinic and it took off for there.

if someone called me, I would ask about several things: experience, childcare arrangements, doula/cbe/nursing experience, what books have you read, conferences, workshops, online groups, etc. Just in general to get an idea if the person has a clue about what it is to be a midwife, or just likes the idea of being a midwife, big difference.

then I would go over the midwife apprentice contract I drew up (with lots of help from others, thanks!) and discuss responsibilities, what is expected. For example, i expect my apprentice to come to my prenatls which are mondays and every other wednesday. Also, expect that apprentice can come to births, has a car and phone, willing to help out in the office with office work, willing to come to monthly workshops we have, and willing to do some sort of "book learning" formally.

i think there's no harm in asking, in approaching someone and see what happens from there.