Brookhaven Midwifery and Natural Birth Center seeks to promote the Midwives’ Model of Care both by providing quality services to our clients and by training a new generation of midwives.
While our students learn hands-on midwifery skills, they also provide an extra set of hands to run prenatal and postpartum visits and manage labor and birth. As students progress through training, they are given increasing levels of responsibility as the midwives supervise and analyze every aspect of their work to ensure quality care is being provided to each client.
In midwifery training, there are three general steps: observe, assist, and primary midwife under the supervision of a CPM. The process of “graduating” one level to the next is a smooth, natural transition as it becomes second nature for the students to perform one role and take on the next. Students make every effort to attend as many of prenatal visits as possible in order to get to know the mother. One to two students will attend a birth-depending on which one of them is on call at that time.
Each person here, regardless of their role, is an integral part of the team that helps to create successful, safe, and empowering experiences for Brookhaven families. We hope that you feel proud of your work and share your love of midwifery care in all of your activities here. Whether we’re scrubbing a toilet or witnessing the first breath of a newborn’s life our dedication and commitment to positive outcomes should shine through!
As a home birth and birth center practice we have the privilege to be “with woman” during this glorious time in her life. We strive to provide evidence-based, personalized, individualized, and respectful care to each and every mother that invites us to serve her. Our care is radically different from typical obstetrical practice in that our role is as a guide and teacher, a friend and supporter, an advocate for mothers and the unborn. We do not manage pregnancy or put routine procedures or policies above family bonding or a mother’s preferences. Because we believe that women are created perfectly to give birth with little to no interference we must always do our best to minimize technological interventions. However if a mother desires such things as ultrasound or amniocentesis, choosing Brookhaven Birth Center care does not prevent her from receiving those things.
The apprenticeship follows the NARM process of working with a certified Preceptor midwife. The apprentice role has a minimum one year commitment. Progress through the program is at the discretion of the preceptor, based on your displayed skills. Along with births, students are expected to attend prenatal visits, postpartum visits, and home visits as a time to learn and meet the mother and family.
Apprenticeships at Brookhaven are unpaid positions. Brookhaven does not charge apprentices any tuition but may be compensated by MEAC schools based on contracts Brookhaven holds directly with the school.
Requirements:
For more information about the course of study, visit North American Registry of Midwives
If you are interested in becoming a Brookhaven student midwife, email midwives@brookhavenbirth.com
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