Bachelor of Midwifery

A one and only three year Bachelor of Midwifery program should be offered in South Africa and the rest of the world  which should prepares any midwife to offer primary health care to women during pregnancy, through childbirth and in the first six weeks of their babies’ lives. Such a curriculum should emphasize normal birth options at home, a birth centre, clinic or hospital and the alternative therapies open to women.

Basic Anatomy and Body Systems

The midwife needs to have in-depth knowledge of basic anatomy, specifically, relating to women and infants, as well as an understanding of the female reproductive system and fetal growth and development. Midwives must monitor the health of the mother, fetus and infant; therefore, they need to know the specifics of how each of the body systems work and how to determine potential problems. They need to be able to regulate and monitor the body systems of the mother, fetus and infant.

Procedures during Pregnancy and Childbirth

Before becoming a midwife, it is essential to have proven knowledge and skills dealing with every aspect of pregnancy, labor and delivery. Midwives must know how to tell a normal pregnancy from one with the potential for complications. They need to know how to recognize complications, how to handle complications and when to refer the mother for medical intervention. Midwives need to be trained in proper sterilization procedures, umbilical cord care, premature or past-due labour and newborn infant care. In addition to being trained for a normal birth, the midwife must be properly trained and prepared to deal with any complication that could arise with the mother or the infant during pregnancy, through labor and delivery or within the first six months to a year after birth.

Nutrition during Childbirth and Pregnancy

The approach to healthy nutrition during pregnancy we advocate is simple.  Understanding the physiologic changes that underlie the nutritional demands of pregnancy can help present basic guidelines for eating, without suggesting that we become rigid and bogged down by rules. Guidelines are based on the changes your body goes through while pregnant and the needs these changes pressent. The midwife also needs to have training in proper antenatal, postnatal, foetal and infant nutrition.

Breastfeeding

Midwives need to know the basics of lactation including normal lactation, nutrition for lactation, problems with lactation and how to increase or decrease lactation. They need to understand infant behavior with regards to lactation and suckling, as well as be able to identify and correct problems with latching on or suckling. Midwives must be able to help the mother and infant with lactation, suckling and nutrition issues.

Counseling and Support Services

The midwife provides basic counseling and support services in order to ensure the overall well-being of the mother and her family. Basic training in counseling and mental health is necessary for the midwife to identify mental, emotional or psychological stress and to effectively help and support the mother and family throughout the childbearing year. Midwives also need to have knowledge in family system and cultural differences in order to meet the needs of the family.

Adult Education and Communication

Midwives need a minimal amount of training and skills in teaching and educating adults. The midwife provides education on pregnancy, birth, infant care and postpartum care to the mother and her family. The midwife must be able to effectively communicate and educate the family members based on their individual needs and educational level