[mamato3cherubs]

<p>I havn't updated in a while either, so I guess I will.</p>
<p>I am still WAY behind where I should be with my AAMI work, but feeling a bit better about moving on. Plugging away at the last of my college courses I want to get out of the way as well. Due to the fact that I do not have anyone to apprentice with locally, I have signed up for some time at Better Birth in Utah to get started on my hands-on learning.  I leave for my first trip there on March 3rd and will go again twice more later this year.  Each stay will be 3 weeks and I am nervous as hell!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I also just go some promissing news for more training possibility in my future as well, hopeful it all plays out and I am very excited about what is to come for me.  I WILL serve in my very underserved area, I WILL!!!!</p>

 

[grcelizabeth]

<p>I haven't posted on here in a long time either, so I'll give a quick update.... I'm way behind on my AAMI studies from moving, being sick from the pregnancy, and then just being lazy. It's a good thing Carla is so understanding and I have earned extensions (well, not the lazy part). Anyhow, I have a local study group that helps keep each other accountable and we're going to start working on skills. I'm due in June with our 4th child and waiting to hear if we'll be moving before that for hubby's new job possibility. I am attending the Advanced Midwifery Skills Lab in May and excited.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Lisa~I'm so excited for you and you will have great opportunities presented. Are you going to attend the Adv. MSL since you'll already be gone from your kids in March?</p>

 

[Cheap Sunglasses]

<p>Has anyone read Myles Textbook for Midwives?  Or is anyone planning to read it?  I know it's on NARM's primary reference list, but I don't know how much more it could offer up beyond Varney's and HM I & II.  Looking for input...</p>

 

[phathui5]

<p>Another lurker here, hoping to get to go to midwifery school one day. I've also been doing Gloria Lemay's classes on Thursday nights.</p>

 

[starrlamia]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Cheap Sunglasses</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1290098/midwifery-students-2011/20#post_16213489"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Has anyone read Myles Textbook for Midwives?  Or is anyone planning to read it?  I know it's on NARM's primary reference list, but I don't know how much more it could offer up beyond Varney's and HM I & II.  Looking for input...</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> i would ask over at studentmidwife.net but from what I understand its a very good book, myle's and maye's are pretty much the same books though some people prefer one layout over another.</p>

 

[generationsbirth]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Cheap Sunglasses</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1290098/midwifery-students-2011/20#post_16213489"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Has anyone read Myles Textbook for Midwives?  Or is anyone planning to read it?  I know it's on NARM's primary reference list, but I don't know how much more it could offer up beyond Varney's and HM I & II.  Looking for input...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm reading it now.  It's very "medical", but it's good.  I'm going to go back through and read it side by side with Varney's.  Good times!</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br>

 

[MamaRabbit]

<p>^^^  Actually, I really really like Myles, even though it is more medical because it is really simple to read and understand and less wordy compared to Varneys.  It's the book that I use most for reference combined with HM 1&2.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So I guess I'll reintroduce myself like everyone else has!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm now in my 3rd year of AAMI and still liking the education. I've slowed down studying a lot because my 3.5 yr old twins refuse to nap and keep me busy all day.  By the time they're in bed at night I'm too tired to study!  BUT in August, they'll start all-day preK4 and I have high hopes of studying 4 or 5 hours a day to get done!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm doing the PEP process for NARM, and in January (my 3rd time apprenticing in Indonesia) I finished all of the clinical skills, so now I just need to redo the skills with a different CPM, though that may be hard because there are no CPMs where I live in Asia.  I'll go back for all of June and July to finish my apprenticeship and finish my continuity of care births.  After that, I'll apply for sitting for the NARM, and I think I want to do that at the fall 2012 MANA conference so I can get a conference out of my trip to the USA for the exam anyway </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Birthwise at home, I'm just doing CBE classes and an occasionally a doula birth for a mom in need.  I'll pick up on births again in the fall when I have all 4 kids in school.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I haven't visited MDC in a while but I always come first to Birth Professionals and go straight to the student midwives thread because this is what helps keep me motivated, so post more often ladies!</p>

 

[Cheap Sunglasses]

<p><br>
4-5 hrs to study each day in silence sounds dreamy!  I'm still hitting the books during naptime and at night...<br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MamaRabbit</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1290098/midwifery-students-2011/20#post_16217881"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I'm now in my 3rd year of AAMI and still liking the education. I've slowed down studying a lot because my 3.5 yr old twins refuse to nap and keep me busy all day.  By the time they're in bed at night I'm too tired to study!  BUT in August, they'll start all-day preK4 and I have high hopes of studying 4 or 5 hours a day to get done!</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>

 

[Eeyore_fan]

<p>Hello everyone! I am a nurse-midwifery student at Frontier. <span><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif"></span></p>

 

[wombjuice]

<p>Welcome!! <br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Eeyore_fan</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1290098/midwifery-students-2011/20#post_16238164"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Hello everyone! I am a nurse-midwifery student at Frontier. <span><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif"></span></p>
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<br><br>

 

[shelleyd]

<p>Hi everyone.  My name is Shelley and I am a former AAMI student.  I am wondering where do you all buy and sell used book?  I have lots of books that I bought for AAMI that I would like to sell and I figured that you ladies would know the best place to sell my books.  Thanks for any tips you have.</p>

 

[MamaRabbit]

<p>Hi Shelley, I usually buy most of my books on half.com and I've sold a few there and it's super easy to do.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why'd you decide AAMI wasn't for you?</p>

 

[shelleyd]

<p>Thanks for the suggestion MamaRabbit.  I am no longer an AAMI student for a few reasons.  First of all my family had some really tough times economically when my husband lost his job.  I decided that I need to have a career that can support my family financially.  So in 2008 I went back to university with the goal of getting into a graduate entry nurse midwifery program.  When my husband lost his job we ended up moving to his hometown in Canada and there is no nurse midwifery here.  I am currently in nursing school and will hopefully go to midwifery school one day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But even before I decided to go to nursing school, I stopped with AAMI.  I think that the curriculum is really narrow.  There is so much talk about evidence based practice but as an AAMI student you don't even have access to any scientific journals to see the evidence first hand.  You read articles published in popular magazines and online where other people interpret the evidence for you.  When I looked at an assignment that required Peggy O'Mara and Jack Doubleday as sources, I quit.  I just couldn't have that as the source of my education.  I was also frustrated with the program because it was very disorganized and I was constantly getting emails soliciting for money from the program.</p>

 

[Sijae]

<p>FYI for other people, those assignments were contained in the very beginning portion of the program before you even start the curriculum.  There are a variety of articles to read and comment on as an exercise in seeing what's out there and thinking about them critically.  The actual curriculum is heavily based in personal research of reliable sources and well respected textbooks. I've noticed that most (not all) people who didn't like the program never actually did the curriculum.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sorry things didn't work out for you, I hope nursing goes well and you can get into midwifery school in the future!</p>

 

[shelleyd]

<p>Sijae, I would like to clarify that I do have the AAMI curriculum.  I know exactly what is in it and what text books are required.  The only required textbooks are the Holistic Midwifery vol I and II.  All other required books are secondary sources such as Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, Obstetric Myth and Prescription for Nutritional Healing.  As an AAMI student you do not have access to research evidence to read critically on your own.  You are stuck relying on other's interpretations of the evidence.  These secondary sources are all you have access to to form your protocols.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hesitated to even post this because I know that there are a lot of AAMI students on here.  I don't mean to insult anybody.  I do feel that there is a taboo about speaking negatively about AAMI on here.  I have spoken with others privately who do not feel comfortable speaking about their negative experiences with AAMI publicly.  If I had heard a more balanced view of AAMI, I would have thought a lot harder before enrolling.  When you sign on to AAMI there is no backing out (unlike any college or university).  I think that prospective students should here the negatives.  I also think that it would be good for AAMI to make public their records of how many students enroll, how many submit curriculum assignments, and how many complete the program.</p>

 

[Sijae]

<p>If you still have the curriculum and have quit the program you should send it back as per your agreement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It is not true at all that you don't have access to research.  In fact, a large portion of the curriculum is composed of research projects in which you are required to find a variety of valid sources, evaluate them for their worth, and compile your own research on a large number if subjects.  I know because I am more than 2/3 of the way through the main curriculum (not the sections you are referring to in your first post).  My research projects are full of references from a variety of mainstream textbooks, respected journal articles, midwifery textbooks, consumer oriented books, and the knowledge of expert midwives who have been practicing for a long time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't understand your use of the word 'access'.  If the school were to provide all the research for you, then that would indeed be restricting your learning to their view.  However, with AAMI, you are required to do comprehensive research and draw your own conclusions.  You are correct that AAMI does not provide subscriptions to databases and journal copies like many universities, but you should know that no independent midwifery school will have the resources to do that, certainly not one that only charges a few thousand dollars.  Only large institutions can provide that.  However, AAMI does not restrict your ability to research on your own, in fact they require it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I understand that on first glance the curriculum may not seem like much, but once you start actually doing it, you find that  it is fantastic in the way it forces you to push yourself and learn.  Whatever you are willing to put into it is what you get out of it.  I am willing to put in a great deal of my own research and create completed assignments that are truly useful to me long-term.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Obviously AAMI wasn't right for you, it sounds like you feel more comfortable in a standard university setting. There's nothing wrong with that.  I simply want to portray a more accurate vision of AAMI because I have advanced through the program far enough to see it's worth to me and any student wanting to really delve into her own research and develop her own opinions.  I have been attending college at the same time as I have been doing AAMI for the last year.  Even though I have a 4.0 average at college, I know that the quality/quantity of learning I get from my AAMI curriculum is far and away higher than college.  But it is true that that particular brand of independent study is not easy and doesn't work for everyone.  </p>

 

[Magelet]

<p>So it's been forever since I posted here....  I'm going to nursing school.  I'm really excited.  I always planned on doing DEM, but recently, I've decided that nurse midwifery is the path for me.  I've been working in food, which is a business without much stability, and many of my friends who are mid thirties are in the same cruddy economic position I am (which one expects at 20, not so much at 35, I'd like to have kids well before then!)  I decided to apply to nursing school and consider nurse midwifery because being an RN is such a good economic back up for our family.  I'm really excited about it. I applied and was admitted to a local program where the first two years of pre-reqs and gen. ed are done at a wonderful women's college, and then with a 3.0 or higher gpa, and passing the TEAS guarantees admission to the second two years at a good local nursing school.  Then a nurse midwifery program.  (Probably either UCSF or Frontier)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's a huge change in plans, but I think it's right for me and our family.</p>

 

[wombjuice]

<p>Congratulations, Magelet, on making the decision that is right for you and your family! <span><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>So I suppose I should update, too.  I have left the birth center where I was apprenticing.  So currently, I am without a preceptor and don't know when I will see another birth.  I am still in midwifery school, and actually pretty relieved to be off-call for a while, but I am definitely sad that I'm going to be behind and may not finish my births before I graduate school.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>It may all work out really, really well though.  I might be moving pretty much out of state in a few months to work with a wonderful homebirth midwife</span> whom I have admired for years now.  That would be an absolute dream-come-true, so I am trying to line my ducks up in a row to make this happen.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hope you all are doing well! <span><img alt="blowkiss.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/blowkiss.gif"></span></p>

 

[ANewDoula]

<p>Hi Ladies!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I can officially post here as a student!!  Woohoo!  <span><img alt="biggrinbounce.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/biggrinbounce.gif"> </span> After passing up the chance to attend IHM, I decided to attend MCU. I'm loving it. I finally feel like after yrs of researching midwifery, I have made the best decision for myself. I got accepted into school on my oldest son's 9th birthday. My journey toward midwifery began with his birth so I feel it only appropriate.  I had two my children and wanted to wait until they all were in school. That time came and here I am!</p>
<p>I live in Florida and that brings all kinds of interesting issues when it comes to licensing. With that said, I will be moving out of state when I feel I'm ready to precept. In the meantime, I will be attending skills workshops when and where I can. I will spend time in Utah and the Dominican Republic this year to begin my basic hands-on.  I'm currently a birth doula and a volunteer WIC peer counselor. I love what I do and can't wait to see how this journey unfolds.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have loved reading along with all the updates. Thanks for having me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jes</p>

 

[wombjuice]

<p>Yay!!  Congratulations, Jes!! <span><img alt="love.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/love.gif"></span></p>