Apprentice trained midwives are responsible
for the outcomes of all the
studies that show homebirth is safe!

Midwifery is unlike medicine in practice, philosophy and educational process. Midwives should never consider adopting medicine's educational system unless we are prepared to accept the sacrifices we would make in practice - and unless we are ready to adopt a new philosophy. The educational differences in midwifery and medicine are best exemplified by the fact that midwifery has been traditionally learned through apprenticeship; medicine has completely overlooked the validity of that route.

Medicine operates as one huge tree with many branches. Midwives, by necessity, are more like individual trees, rooted in tradition, nurtured by the rewards of their work which are subject to individual definition. Midwives often stand together as a grove of trees, but they respect the individuality of each tree. Midwives also extend themselves to shelter little trees (apprentices) as they grow. That growth process is called the apprenticeship.

Historically proven educational route

One-on-one learning is most effective in most situations

More opportunity for personalized teaching and learning

Most effective way to learn the benefits of continuity of care

Quickly reconciles expectations with reality

Offers opportunity for more questions

Emphasizes degree of personal integrity and accountability required because of limited back up; no cover-up

Underscores importance of self-confidence and self reliance

Promotes autonomy necessary for working outside the “system”

Integrates learning through observation followed by supervised participation, not in a classroom, but in real situations

Allows students to view birth from practitioner’s point of view

Working with midwife’s clients teaches tolerance and respect for diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and lifestyles

Accountability to teacher prepares for accountability to client

Promotes responsibility for learning; reciprocity with teacher

Clarifies issues pertinent to midwifery by observing how the midwife deals with and resolves them in her practice

Best way to prepare for being “on call” as a lifestyle

Chance to observe midwife in relationships with family or friends invited to births, midwife’s peers, and medical community

Chance to see importance of parental education and responsibility

Most effective way to learn demands on time, family, emotions

Encourages development of personal philosophy and procedure

Initial limitations on participation and incremental assignments of responsibility produces maturity and patience

Opportunity to learn people skills specific to midwifery

Chance to prove, over a period of time, the level of commitment

Most effective way to learn when protocol should be adapted

Instills respect for the client-midwife relationship

Opportunity to find out what potential problems are

Opportunity to see predominance of uncomplicated births and how complications can be handled in an individual manner

Only way to learn the dynamics specific to home birth

Copyright © 1994 Carla Hartley

Ancient Art Midwifery Institute

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