Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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 to 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.
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.
What have others said about taking this course?
Please check out our compliments page for testimonies from previous students.
