CURRICULUM OVERVIEW BY QUARTER

FIRST QUARTER

Academic:   293 Contact Hours / 29.3 Academic Credits
This quarter serves as an introduction to midwifery and provides an opportunity to acquire basic midwifery skills.  Classes are usually held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  The Tuesday class is devoted to “birth talks” where students have the opportunity to discuss and review the births that they have recently attended.  First Quarter classes concentrate on pregnancy and prenatal care and include: 

Introduction to Midwifery & Orientation (43 hours / 4.3 credits)

• Orientation I
• Orientation II
• Regulation of Midwifery
• Ethics in Midwifery Practice
• Client Care & Education
• Infection Control & Applied Microbiology
• Writing Practice Protocols
• Medical Terminology 
• Orientation Synthesis

Prenatal Care (44 hours / 4.4 credits)

• Initial Interview & Communication Skills
• Prenatal I—Maternal Assessment 
• Prenatal II—Venipuncture
• Prenatal III—Abdominal Exam
• Nutrition and Lifestyle
• Pregnancy Discomforts

Basic Intrapartum & Postpartum (28 hours / 2.8 credits)

• Labor Support & Documentation
• Birth at Maternidad La Luz
• Immediate Postpartum Skills & Documentation
• Neonatal Skills
• Postpartum Skills & Documentation
• Breastfeeding
• Well Woman Care (28 hours / 2.8 credits)
• HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis A, B, & C
• Physical Assessment 
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Breast Self-Exam
• Principles of Preventive & Community Health in Well Woman Care
• Family Planning

Psychosocial & Cultural Issues in Midwifery Care (29 hours / 2.9 credits)

• El Paso & Juarez: Living on the Border
• Antiracism
• MLL Spanish Phrases
• Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse
• Special Topics in Midwifery Care

Anatomy & Physiology (21 hours / 2.1 credits)

• A & P I—Reproductive System
• A & P II—Female Endocrine System
• A & P III—The Female Pelvis (Pelvimetry)
• Maternal Adaptation I: Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular & Cardiovascular Systems
• Maternal Adaptation II: Lymphatic, Respiratory, Nervous, Urinary & Gastrointestinal Systems

Laboratory Work & Screening (13 hours / 1.3 credits)

• Applied Chemistry:  Laboratory I & II
• Genetic Screening & Counseling
• Ultrasound in Pregnancy

Prenatal Complications & Emergency (37 hours / 3.7 credits)

• Emergency Procedures
• Emergency Skills 1
• Hospital Procedures
  • Anemia and Teratogens
• Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
• Gestational Diabetes
• Common Prenatal Complications I & II

Topics in Midwifery 1 (49 hours / 4.9 credits)

• Birth Talks
• Chart Review and Risk Assessment
• 1st Quarter Synthesis & Review

Academic work includes reading assignments, homework, research, book reports, oral presentations, site visits, take-home quizzes, and exams.

Clinical:  600 Clinical Hours / 30 Clinical Credits

During the First Quarter each student is required to work a rotating schedule of two to three twenty-four hour shifts weekly, generally in a one day on, two days off pattern.  These shifts include prenatal and postpartum appointments and participation on the clinical birth rotation list.  Students on birth rotation take turns with birth attendance as primary care giver providing labor support and coaching, catching the baby and providing immediate postpartum care of mother and baby; as an assistant on the birth team during second stage and immediate postpartum; or as a documenter or gofer.  Students may provide continuity of care to one client during this quarter.          

SECOND QUARTER

Academic:  141 Contact Hours / 14.1 Academic Credits

This quarter is designed for students who have completed the First Quarter or who have been accepted in the Advanced Placement Program.  Classes during the Second Quarter concentrate on normal labor, birth and postpartum, as well as intrapartum and postpartum complications. The class schedule is the same as outlined in the First Quarter.  Classes include:

Normal Labor & Birth: (29 hours / 2.9 credits)

• Introduction to Labor and Birth
• Normal 1st Stage
• Normal 2nd Stage
• Normal 3rd and 4th Stage
• Normal Birth Videos
• Posterior Presentation
• Water Birth
• Fetal Heart Tones

Complications during the Intrapartum & Postpartum: (49 hours / 4.9 credits)

• Shoulder Dystocia
• Hemorrhage and Shock
• PROM, Hydramnios, & Cord Prolapse
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) 
• Prematurity, SGA, & IUGR 
• Postmaturity, Postdates, LGA & Meconium
• Uterine Complications
• Postpartum Complications
• Basic Suturing. 
• Emergency Skills 2

The Postpartum:  (16 hours / 1.6 credits)

• Normal Postpartum
• Normal Neonatal Adaptations
• Newborn Issues

Topics in Midwifery 2 (46 hours / 4.6 credits)

• Teaching & Learning Midwifery
• Birth Talks 
• 2nd Quarter Synthesis & Review

Clinical:  600 Clinical Hours / 30 Clinical Credits

During the Second Quarter each student is required to work a rotating schedule of two to three twenty-four hour shifts weekly unless in the extended program.  These shifts include prenatal and postpartum appointments, labor support and coaching, birth attendance as primary care giver, assistant, documenter or gofer.  This quarter will broaden the student’s knowledge of basic and advanced clinical skills and give the opportunity to increase her clinic and birth numbers. Students may provide continuity of care to one client during this quarter.

THIRD QUARTER

Academic:  79 Contact Hours / 7.9 Academic Credits

Upon successful completion of the 2nd Quarter, students advance to intern level.  Students must complete certain clinical and academic assignments before advancement.  Interns continue to attend Birth Talks/Peer Review and classes, as well as Midwifery Seminar.  They also participate in Community Outreach and begin preparing for their research paper and presentation.  The Third Quarter, with its light class schedule, provides time for interns to integrate their academic knowledge and complete homework assignments.

Midwifery Skills 3:  (18 hours / 1.8 credits)

• Counseling Skills for Midwives
• Childbirth Education I & II
• Advanced Physical Assessment
• Emergency Skills 3

Topics in Midwifery 3:  (61 hours / 6.1 credits)

• Past, Present, and Future of Midwifery
• Community Outreach Project
• Midwifery Seminar 
• Introduction to Midwifery Research
• Birth Talks

Clinical:  600 Clinical Hours / 30 Clinical Credits

The Third Quarter focuses on improving clinical skills.  Interns are given more responsibility as they continue to provide primary care under the supervision of a Senior Midwife.  Clinical experience consists of two to three twenty-four hour shifts weekly.  Students will also take one or two on-call clients in this quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

Academic:  145 Contact Hours / 14.5 Academic Credits

During the Fourth Quarter interns attend Birth Talks/Peer Review on Tuesdays and participate in Midwifery Seminar.  Other classes during this quarter are generally held all day on Wednesday or Friday and include:

Advanced Midwifery: (51 hours / 5.1 credits)

• Breech Presentation
• Multiple Gestation
• Other Presentations
• IV Therapy
• Emergency Skills 4 
• Pharmacology for Midwives
• Intermediate Suturing
• Home Birth & Establishing a Private Practice
• Cesarean & VBAC

Alternative Therapies:  (20 hours / 2.0 credits)

• Herbology for the Midwife
• Homeopathy for the Midwife 
• Other topics have included T’ai Chi, Shamanic Journey, Pregnancy Massage, Infant Massage, Aromatherapy, Chinese Medicine

Anatomy & Physiology:  (13 hours / 1.3 credits)

• Embryology
• Genetics  

Topics in Midwifery 4: (61 hours / 6.1 credits)

• Normal Birth Videos II
• Midwifery Seminar
• Birth Talks
• Unexpected Outcomes & Grief 
• Research Project (independent study)
• Transitioning from Student to Midwife
• 4th Quarter Synthesis & Review

Clinical:  600 Clinical Hours / 30 Clinical Credits

Interns continue to do 2 to 3 24-hour shifts per week, providing prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care.  They work towards mastering skills and accepting more responsibility as a midwife providing primary care under supervision.  They also complete the remainder of their on-call requirement for the One-Year Program unless doing the Fifth Quarter Option.

 
FIFTH QUARTER

Academic:  105 Contact Hours / 10.5 Academic Credits

Students who have completed the One-Year Program and those enrolled in PLEP who are advance placing into the Three-Year Program become Senior Interns in the Fifth Quarter.  They attend Birth Talks/Peer Review and participate in Midwifery Seminar during the Fifth Quarter.  Senior interns meet individually each week with a director during Senior Intern Seminar to establish clinical goals and to assess their progress in meeting these goals.  Fifth Quarter classes include:

Advanced Well Woman Care (7 hours / 0.7 credits)

• Advanced Physical Assessment 
• Human Papilloma Virus

Advanced Well Baby Care (10 hours / 1.0 credit)

• Child Development in the First Year
• Advanced Breastfeeding Skills 
• Advanced Newborn Exam & Gestational Age Assessment

Advanced Midwifery Skills (13 hours / 1.3 credits)

• Advanced Suturing
• IV Therapy 
• Advanced Chart Review
• Emergency Skills 5

Topics in Midwifery 5 (75 hours / 7.5 credits)

• The Past, Present, and Future of Midwifery
• Professionalism for the CPM / DEM
• Senior Intern Seminar 
• Midwifery Seminar / Peer Review
• Community Outreach
• Birth Talks

Clinical:  360 Clinical Hours / 18 Clinical Credits

This quarter is a time for clinical synthesis and continuity of care by continuing to provide care for and attending the births of their on-call clients, as well as spending the equivalent of three 12-hour shifts a week in the clinic. There is a final exam at the end of the 18-Month Program.

SIXTH QUARTER

Academic:  102 Contact Hours / 10.2 Academic Credits

The academic focus during the Sixth Quarter is on Research and Statistics.  Students choose a research topic and design a research project.

Research (10 hours / 1.0 credit)

• Designing a Research Project
• Statistics
• Epidemiology

Advanced Midwifery Skills (24 hours / 2.4 credits)

• Advanced Suturing II
• IV Therapy Recertification 
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Emergency Skills 6

Topics in Midwifery 6 (69 hours / 6.9 credits)

• Senior Intern Seminar
• Midwifery Seminar / Peer Review 
• Community Outreach
• Birth Talks

Clinical:  520 Clinical Hours / 26 Clinical Credits

During the Sixth Quarter interns provide care for and attend the births of three on-call clients and spend the equivalent of two 24-hour shifts per week a week in the clinic.

SEVENTH QUARTER

Academic:  95 Contact Hours / 9.5 Academic Credits

During the Seventh Quarter, students meet twice a month with an academic director for advisement in carrying out their research project.  During the Seventh Quarter interns attend Birth Talks /Peer Review, Midwifery Seminar, and Senior Intern Seminar, and have classes on emergency skills and chart review. 

• Research Project (23 hours / 2.3 credit)
• Topics in Midwifery 7 (72 hours / 7.2 credits)
• Senior Intern Seminar
• Midwifery Seminar / Peer Review
• Emergency Skills 7 
• Community Outreach
• Birth Talks

Clinical:  520 Clinical Hours / 26 Clinical Credits

During the Seventh Quarter interns provide care for and attend the births of three on-call clients and spend the equivalent of two 24-hour shifts per week a week in the clinic.

EIGHTH QUARTER

Academic:  80 Contact Hours / 8.0 Academic Credits

The academic classes during the Eighth Quarter focus on Cultural Competency and Sociocultural Sensitivity in Midwifery Care and includes a volunteer externship with a local organization. They continue to work on their research project.

• Cultural Competency (18 hours / 1.8 credit)
• Cultural Competency in MW Care
• Volunteer Externship  Organizational Analysis for Cultural Competency
• Topics in Midwifery 8 (69 hours / 6.9 credits)
• Senior Intern Seminar
• Midwifery Seminar / Peer Review  Birth Talks
• Emergency Skills 8

Clinical:  520 Clinical Hours / 26 Clinical Credits*

During the Eighth Quarter interns provide care for and attend the births of three on-call clients and spend the equivalent of two 24-hour shifts per week in the clinic.

NINTH QUARTER

Academic:  87 Contact Hours / 8.7 Academic Credits

The Ninth Quarter is a time for academic synthesis, is comprised of independent study in addition to Birth Talks/Peer Review, Midwifery Seminar, and Senior Intern Seminar.  Interns will complete all of the legal requirements to begin practice in the jurisdiction of their choice. They also recertify in IV therapy and neonatal resuscitation and refine their protocols, forms, business plan, and other documents needed to set up a practice.  There is a final exam at the end of the 3-Year Program.

• Advanced Midwifery Skills 9 (18 hours / 1.8 credit)
• IV Recertification
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) 
• Topics in Midwifery 9 (69 hours / 6.9 credits)
• Senior Intern Seminar
• Midwifery Seminar / Peer Review
• Emergency Skills 9
• Birth Talks 

Clinical:  520 Clinical Hours / 26 Clinical Credits

During the Ninth Quarter interns provide care for and attend the births of three on-call clients and spend the equivalent of two 24-hour shifts per week a week in the clinic.