A student at Maternidad La Luz begins learning practical midwifery skills the first day on shift at the clinic. The opportunity for the repetition of skills available in a busy birth center enables the student to solidify clinical skills while integrating what they have learned in the classes.
Maternidad La Luz provides clinical placement for students to learn under experienced professional midwives. The clinical placement at Maternidad La Luz involves total commitment on the part of the student. Students are scheduled to be on shift 36 to 48 hours per week; but those in Phases 3 and 4 may be required to be at the birth center additional hours if they have a "change of shift" birth or have a continuity of care client who births when the student is not scheduled to be on shift. It is very difficult to have a job during the program, especially when on call.
On average, students at Maternidad La Luz attend approximately 15-25 births in a three-month period, totaling 75-125 births a year. It is expected that students will provide primary care at approximately 25-30 births during a 12-month clinical placement. Birth volume at the clinic varies from season to season, and while we cannot guarantee that students will attend a certain or minimum number of births in a certain timeframe, most students are able to complete the number and skills that they need. Students who attend all of the NARM phases at Maternidad La Luz will have the opportunity to have all the knowledge and skills signed off on NARM's Form 201a, needed to apply to sit the NARM exam. Providing comprehensive client care includes facilitating the smooth running of the clinic. Students are responsible for cleaning up before and after appointments and births, restocking clinical supplies, checking emergency equipment and general clinic maintenance.
Continuity of Care
Students may begin selecting clients for whom they wish to be on-call. NARM requires that students provide care for five continuity of care (COC) clients spanning two trimesters of pregnancy, attend the birth, do the newborn exam within 12 hours of the birth, and do at least two postpartum exams after 24 hours of the birth. Students who have COC clients must have a cell phone and reliable means of transportation available to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Appropriate childcare must also be organized in advance, and should be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while a student is on call. Students’ children are not allowed at the birth center without prior approval.
Visiting MLL's Birth Center
MLL welcomes visitors to the center for a free 12- hour or 24-hour observation shift. All visitors must be approved by a staff midwife before coming to the birth center. Visitors may attend births only if a client agrees, and the situation permits additional people at the birth. To schedule a visit, please call the center at 915-532-5895 and ask to speak to a staff midwife.