Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Birth Assistant?

A trained birth professional who assists and supports Midwives in a Community Birth (out of hospital) setting.  They are also referred to as a "Midwife's Assistant".  

Birth/Midwife Assistants (BAs) attend births with a Licensed or Registered Midwife or Certified Nurse Midwife at either the client's home/licensed free standing birth center/International Birthing Facility . The Assistant's primary role at a birth is to assist the Midwife under supervision in whatever capacity the Midwife needs them. BAs typically do the majority of the charting during the labor and birth which allows for the midwife and the student midwife to focus on the birthing person and baby. Assistants also provide a variety of supervised support services at births such as: check fetal heart tones, check vital signs on client and baby, keep the birth room clean and organized, make sure all the equipment is stocked and sterilized, provide assistance in emergency situations, assist in IV and medication set up and many other tasks and supportive procedures.  ​

I am considering Midwifery or I am a new Student Midwife, is the Birth Assistant Basics class for me?

Absolutely!  This is a great class to explore the possibility of your path to Midwifery or to get prepared for your clinical rotation!  Every Student Midwife will need to be a Birth Assistant as they are learning.  Our Birth Assistant Basics Course was created for those seeking  a career in Birth Assisting or those entering a Midwifery program.  We have had lots of Student Midwives take our course and they all agree it helped them feel prepared attend births as an assistant!  

Will I be "Certified" when I finish the online course?

No.  You will need to complete the Certification application and requirements.  There is no extra charge for certification! Currently, only California and some international programs require a Certified Birth Assistant.  We do offer Certification that can be used when applying for schools or jobs (both nationally and internationally). Most community midwives do not require their Birth Assistant to be certified. 

Why are there recommended (not required) prerequisites before taking the Birth Assistant Basics Course?

We have found that it benefits the student to attend an NRP class before attending our Birth Assistant Basics Course.  That said, it is  not required to obtain a Labor Doula Support Course or NRP class before you can become taking our classes because they are not offered in all states.  Most students find attending a Labor Doula course helps create a foundation of birth knowledge that will benefit you when entering this profession. 

What books/videos/articles do you recommend?

Here are just a few of the great pregnancy/birth books out there:
B.E.S.T. - Birth Emergency Skills Training 
Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin
Red Medicine: Traditional Indigenous Rites of Birthing and Healing (First Peoples: New Directions in Indigenous Studies), Patrisia Gonzales 
The Essential Guide to Homebirth - Jodilyn Owen & Jane E. Drichta 
Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhoodand Trusting Yourself and Your Body (Pregnancy Books, Mom to Be Gifts, Newborn Books, Birthing Books) By Cohen, Erica Chidi
Baby Catcher - Peggy Vincent 
​When Survivors Give Birth - Penny Simkin 
Here are a few books we recommend about anit-rasicm and inclusivity:
Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and and the Meaning of Liberty, by Dorothy Roberts
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You - Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds 
Me and White Supremacy - Layla Saad

Here is an article by Lisa Ling CNN, about Birth in all settings

Do you recommend certain NRP courses?

Yes.  In the greater Seattle area we recommend NRP through Swedish Hospital https://www.swedish.org/services/gossman-advanced-healthcare-simulation/course-descriptions or Karen Strange's NRP workshop, which is offered everywhere in the country.  We also recommend checking with your local hospital to see if they offer a NRP class geared towards out of hospital birth.  

After successfully completing the Birth Assistant Basics Course, can I start attending births as an Assistant?

Yes! As long as you have completed the requirements in your state to enter a birth room in this capacity.  (Some states have different requirements).  Please see BABC page for recommended additional training to prepare you for a birth room.  

Are your birth assistants approved for CABC Birth Centers?

Yes!  Our Birth Assistant Basics Course is approved by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers.  We offer a certificate that Birth Centers can hold on file for site visits.

Are nursing babies allowed in the in-person classes?

Yes!  However, we have a very hands on course.  As long the student can participate in the coursework, we love having babies! 

Refund Policy- What if I can't make it to the Hands-On course?

We ask that you carefully consider your call schedule when you register for this course.  We understand if you get called away to a birth during class, however, your fee is non-refundable.  In addition, you may not have an opportunity to make up the course work.  

What are the recommended course materials needed to attend class?  

Each class or course will have the materials listed that are needed or recommended.

What have others said about taking this course?

Please check out our compliments page for testimonies from previous students.