What changes for budding midwives

From the desire to have children to their first birthday - they learn in their training how midwives can support families during this time. The dual study program is mandatory - and it brings a lot of change.

Bochum (dpa / tmn) - Every birth is different, midwives learn that quickly in their practical training. Midwife student Johanna Dieckmann has already looked after 40 births. This allows her to register for the state exam for professional admission in the coming semester. Behind her are six semesters of midwifery at the University of Health (HSG) in Bochum.

The course in Bochum is a pioneer: The reform of the Federal Ministry of Health on midwifery training has fundamentally stipulated dual university studies with a Bachelor of Science degree in midwifery training since January 2020. The previous school education ends with the transition period 2022.

For applicants, this means that the secondary school leaving certificate is no longer sufficient. In the future, you must have completed a twelve-year school education or completed professional training in a nursing profession in order to become a midwife. Depending on the university, the course should last between six and eight semesters.

Less practice, more university

The course in Bochum will also be adapted: less practice, but more university for a broad and solid specialist knowledge. "This should help midwives to reflect on and question the guidelines," says Yvonne Bovermann from the German Midwifery Association. This is important because knowledge and standards in obstetrics change due to new, scientific findings and midwives then have to adapt.

In addition, the practical assignments at the cooperation partners in hospitals, outpatient facilities and with freelance midwives should be better tailored to learning needs in the future. "At least a quarter of the time, students are looked after by qualified practice instructors," says Annette Bernloehr, professor of midwifery at the HSG in Bochum.

So far, theory and practice phases have alternated there. "The theory gives the first overview and prepares for the next practical application," says Dieckmann.

In addition to medical lessons on the human body and hygiene, professional policy and legal foundations are also on the course schedule. There are also modules from the field of business administration, such as quality management. This should also prepare students for freelance work later on.

State examination only with simulation birth

There are also changes in the state final exam: Exam births only take place in the form of simulations, for example with actresses, and no longer in the delivery room as part of real births. "This means that everyone has the same conditions and, above all, it is ethical," says Bernloehr. The dual study program is finally concluded with the bachelor thesis.

What makes midwifery studies even more attractive due to the new law: you receive remuneration for the entire duration of your studies. The cooperation partners receive the money from the health insurance companies. How high the remuneration will be, is still unclear, says Bovermann from the midwifery association. "The appropriate remuneration is 1100 euros in the first year of training," she says.

More opportunities after graduation

Whoever wants to become a midwife should be flexible. Because moving house for practical assignments during studies, the double burden of university and work and the later assignments in shift work require a lot. "Medical understanding and interest are generally important," says Dieckmann. In addition, empathy is part of everyday working life: because in addition to the role as a counselor for questions, midwives are also needed as emotional support in the event of conflicts and fears.

With the professional experience and knowledge from their studies, the graduates can later work in the delivery room in a hospital, in a midwife practice or as independent midwives. "There are also master's degrees in managerial positions, and anyone who wants to can do research," says Bovermann.

Midwife student Johanna Dieckmann initially wants to stay in the delivery room. Later she wants to work in a freelance team so that she not only accompanies the short section of the birth, but the whole family process.

Ministry of Health on the Midwifery Reform Act

Midwifery Reform Act

Midwifery at Bochum University of Applied Sciences