According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Investing in health systems—especially in midwife training and in making emergency obstetric care available round-the-clock—is key to reducing maternal mortality", yet more then 58 countries lack enough qualified midwives to provide timely access to skilled healthcare for mothers and infants.

Midwife International has partnered with Mother Health International to bridge this maternal healthcare gap by offering a 1-year midwifery training option at established birth centers in Haiti, Uganda, and Cambodia and new birth centers in Guatemala, Jamaica and Kenya in 2013. Our integrated curriculum will combine hands-on skills training and academic study with leadership training. No other midwife training program emphasizes shared resources and knowledge across international and cultural boundaries, fusing remote clinics as a conduit for innovation in maternal healthcare.

Throughout the course of study, students will benefit from an exchange with other students from a variety of backgrounds, and with midwifery experts and local health workers. Our innovative program will integrate community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and improve access to maternal healthcare at the community level. We welcome students who are already on their path to become a Certified Professional Midwife or Nurse-Midwife, as well as those who are deciding whether or not they want to become a midwife, and want to include international experience as part of their midwife training.

Midwife Training Applications Due October 1st

We are now accepting applications with a final deadline of October 1, 2012. Students will be placed at clinical sites according to a selection and matching process and should be prepared to study at any of our locations. Training will begin in February 2013 with an orientation in Boulder, Colorado. Our midwife training program application is available now.

Midwives who represent culturally specific approaches as well as international standards of midwifery care will lead curriculum. Experienced professional midwives who are practicing CNMs or are NARM certified and would like to volunteer as site preceptors or guest teachers are welcome to apply. These individuals should be ready to teach midwifery material in addition to providing hands-on assistance for a minimum of 2-months, up to 1-year. Apply now to become a volunteer preceptor or visiting teacher.

According to the UNFPA, "The evidence is clear: investing in midwifery saves lives. A return on investment calculation has shown that across 58 countries as many as 3.6 million maternal, fetal and newborn deaths per year could be averted if all women had access to the full package of reproductive, maternal and newborn care. Midwives and the midwifery workforce are important in the provision of all these services." That's why Midwife International and Mother Health International are partnering to train a global network of professional midwives who are equipped to improve service delivery and create demand for high-quality maternity care in underserved regions across the globe.

Want to Become a Midwife? Learn more about:

Our 1-year midwife training program.

Our 3-year midwifery school.

Our approach to midwifery education.

Midwifery and midwife certification.