midwives-to-be program

[snugglebug14]

What do you all think of the midwives to be program? is it worth the money or should i just read the books on their list? do they offer helpful feedback? is the guidance structure helpful?

[rajahkat]

Hmmm. I paid my money and got started on the course, but don't really feel that I got much out of it. You can read the books on your own. Some of the textbooks offer online tests you can take to test yourself. Not that the more medical textbooks are even useful (IMO) I'd just as soon completely skip Varney's Midwifery and Maternal & Neonatal Nursing in favor of Anne Frye's Holistic Midwifery Vol 1 & 2. I'm not that interested in learning how to read a EFM. I don't believe vol 2 is even on the reading list, but I bought it. That is one hefty sucker of a book.

I find the books selected for additional reading to be quite limited. I have come up with a more well-rounded selection on my own, and plan to complete book reports on those instead. The book report form provided with the MTB course is remedial at best, as are the test questions from the reading material.

One plus is the inexpensive weekend retreats she offers for hands on experience and clinicals, though last time I checked, she doesn't care if you are signed up for the course or not, and you may attend regardless.

So, to sum up, if you need a midwife to keep track of your paperwork if you are planning the PEP process for NARMS, and you are nearby and plan to go to the retreats at her place, and you feel good about supporting her financially, then you might feel good about paying for the course.

Otherwise, I really would just start studying on your own, maybe with the textbook suggestions as a guideline, and try to find a midwife or study group in your area for support. I really didn't feel like there was any guidance structure at all with MTB.

Good Luck!
Kat