Birth of a midwife.

My journey into midwifery began with my own pregnancy. As I was researching birthing options, I realized just how out of touch modern society is with this ancient rite of passage. The tone of a pregnancy, and the level of satisfaction a birthing person has with the birthing experience, can influence the parent-child relationship—and yet, most women don’t even get to choose where or how they give birth! I had a profound experience with my own midwife-assisted birth, and I decided to become a midwife in hopes that I might similarly empower other mothers on their birth journeys and help facilitate healthy parent-child relationships. My goal as a midwife is to be a resource for the community in the birthing process and beyond, helping them raise healthy children and find a balance between the family duties, work responsibilities, and community commitments that shape our hectic lives.

 

As I’m entering my second year of a three-year midwifery school program, I’m beginning my clinical hours and attending births as a midwifery assistant. There’s a point in the labor process where a mother transitions from early to active labor—and let’s just say that I’m that phase of my schooling! Things are really picking up in intensity. The moments of rest are getting shorter, and the waves of school, work, and family demands are getting more challenging. In labor, when a birthing person feels supported in this phase, the outcomes tend to be better. With that in mind, I’m reaching out to ask for financial support to fund my education and support my family as I engage in this rigorous phase of my schooling.

 

I’m asking for financial support to cover the cost of tuition and other school costs for the next year. If I’m able to pay for the next school year by my birthday, October 15, I will receive a discount on the year's tuition. These funds would be directed towards school books and midwifery gear required for my internship, and I will be able to dive into this crazy process while also taking care of my family.

 

Below is a breakdown of the basic costs of my midwifery education:

 

Registration Fee: $100.00.

Tuition Cost per Module: $650.00

Each module is completed at a rate of one per month with payment due at the first class meeting of each month. $650.00 x 38 required modules = $24,700.00.

Basic Life Support Online Course With Skills Workshop: (Students may attend this course twice over the course of their program): $65.00 x 2 = $130.00.

Neonatal Resuscitation Program Online Course With Skills Workshop: (Students may attend this course twice over the course of the program): $225.00 x 2 = $450.00.

Student Tuition Recovery Fund (California Residents): $14.00.

Annual Institution Sustaining Fee: $550.00 x 4 or more (due annually during the first week of October) = $2200.00+. Sustaining fees are approximated, because they are paid annually for as long as the student remains in the program.

Student liability insurance  $200 x 3 years = $600

Textbooks: Average cost is $1,750.00 over the course of the program.

Pharmacy Practicum Fee: A single fee of $800.00 for the supplies required during the Pharmacology modules.

Midwifery Equipment: Costs vary widely depending on the student’s preferences and resourcefulness. Preceptors also may arrange to provide advanced students with midwifery equipment in exchange for the student’s assistance at births.

Scrub Uniforms: Used at births to protect against bodily fluids: $70.00.

Application Fee for the North American Registry of Midwives: $1,000.00.

 

Total Estimated Costs over the 38-Month Program: $31,814.00