Before you can practice the fabulous profession of midwife, you need to complete several years of training. In this article, we'll take a look at the various stages of training, as well as the possible career opportunities depending on the specializations chosen. Let's take a look at how to become a midwife.
Why choose the midwifery profession?
The main tasks of a midwife
The midwife plays an essential role in the medical monitoring of pregnancy, childbirth and the post-natal period. She prescribes the necessary examinations, carries out prenatal and postnatal consultations, performs physiological deliveries and provides preventive gynecological care. Her field of action extends from adolescence to the menopause. This professional is a true Swiss Army knife, capable of operating with composure in a wide range of situations. This versatility is highly sought-after bymidwifery jobproviders.
The importance of midwifery in the care of women and childbirth
As a genuine first-line practitioner, the midwife provides comprehensive support for women throughout their lives. She is the guarantor of physiology and detects pathological situations requiring medical attention. She plays a crucial role in public health, particularly in prevention and health education.
The path to midwifery studies
The different routes: PASS and LAS
There are two main routes into midwifery studies:
- Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
- Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
- Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
- Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
- Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
- The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.
- The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)
- Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
- At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
- The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, favoring skills and reorientation.
Admission and selection criteria
Selection is based on first-year results. Places in midwifery schools are limited, with a numerus clausus set annually. To succeed, you need to work hard and prepare thoroughly for the theory tests and oral examinations.
The course of midwifery studies
The four years of training: content and learning
Training at midwifery schools is structured around a number of areas:
- Basic sciences: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology
- Obstetrics: pregnancy monitoring, childbirth, pathologies
- Gynecology: contraception, screening, prevention
- Human sciences: psychology, ethics, communication
- Public health and research in maieutics
Hospital internships
Internships are a major part of midwifery studies. They take place in various departments: birthing rooms, post-natal care, prenatal consultations, gynecological emergencies. Progression is gradual, from observation to complete autonomy.
Using simulation to develop clinical skills
Simulation-based learning is playing an increasingly important role in training, thanks to the development of new technologies that enable us to recreate real-life conditions. Students practice on high-fidelity mannequins and take part in realistic simulated situations, enabling them to learn technical gestures and emergency management in complete safety.
Skills and knowledge acquired during training
Midwifery training provides advanced expertise in obstetrics, gynecology and neonatology. Students learn essential technical skills, how to interpret clinical and paraclinical examinations, and how to deal with emergencies.
Beyond the medical aspects, the training also develops human qualities that are important for practice, such as listening, empathy and communication skills. Students learn to manage stress, make rapid decisions and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Jobs and prospects after midwifery studies
Hospital or private practice
Graduates can choose between :
- Hospital practice in a public or private maternity hospital
- Setting up in private practice
- Working in a PMI or birth center
- Clinical research or teaching
Specializations and further training
Additional training courses enable you to specialize in :
- Obstetrical ultrasound
- Acupuncture
- Perineal rehabilitation
- Lactation and breastfeeding
- Prenatal diagnosis
In short, the midwifery profession requires the mastery of rare skills in order to operate in situations of emergency and discomfort for pregnant women. It's for this reason that studies are long (5 years minimum) and accompanied by immersion courses, ensuring that the French healthcare system is equipped with competent professionals straight from school.
If you've enjoyed this article, please continue reading with our midwife ultrasound technician salary sheet.
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Midwife ultrasound technician - Dracy Le Fort 71
Employee
4000 - 4000 per month
Dracy-le-Fort
A nursing home in Dracy Le Fort, Burgundy, is looking for its new midwife sonographer M/F on a permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Full time (Monday to Friday) or part time (minimum two days per week) - Center open from 8am to 7:30pm The structure You'll be joining a new health center in Dracy Le Fort, near Mâcon and the South Burgundy wine-growing region. The facility is built on a 7,500 m² plot of land, with shared equipment and dedicated services for practitioners. The team comprises around ten multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, and the site has over 33 consultation cubicles. Remuneration - 4,000€ gross/month or percentage of retrocession to be defined Missions - Pregnancy follow-up and associated consultations - Perform gynecological and obstetrical ultrasound scans exclusively using ultrasound - Collaboration with the multidisciplinary medical team - Active participation in the department's development projects and future activity slots - Contribute to optimizing patient care and quality of care Benefits - Health insurance - Participation in moving expenses - Possibility of assistance with rent for several months - Large refectory equipped with coffee machine, microwave, freezer and refrigerator - Enclosed parking for employees - Co-working space - Beautiful technical platform with ECG, ultrasound and gynecology equipment - Close-knit, collaborative team with group meetings - High patient flow (approx. 250 per day) The equipment - Three Voluson ultrasound scanners - ECG - Minor surgery and suturing equipment - Casting equipment - Gynecological equipment with systematic ultrasound - Dermatology equipment The little extra The project is located on a vast plot of land close to high-end hotel infrastructures and renowned wine-growing sites, offering a living environment conducive to outdoor activities and wine-tourism discoveries between two days of consultations. Profile required French-qualified midwife with ultrasound diploma. Contact us on: 07.45.01.29.85 or by e-mail at [email protected] Ad reference: 12698 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Benefit from a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Midwife M/F - Blois 41
Employee
3500 - 4500 per month
Blois
A home hospitalization facility in Blois, Loir-et-Cher, is looking for its new midwife M/F on a permanent contract. Terms and conditions - CDI - Full time The structure You will be joining a nationally-recognized hospital-at-home facility based throughout the Loir-et-Cher département. The structure, which is recent and growing, offers a modern working environment and several benefits. Your salary - Between €3,500 and €4,500 gross per month Missions - Supervision and support of pregnancies and post-pregnancy care at home - Follow-up of patients and their newborns, including clinical and biological monitoring and surveillance - Support for breastfeeding and newborn follow-up - Management of emergencies and referral to medical teams - Home visits to families - Collaboration with the coordinating midwife and coordinating physicians The benefits - Fitness room and terrace available - Connected fridge with daily meal replenishment - Service vehicle with fuel card - Active training policy, with the possibility of funding DU and additional training courses - Opportunities for development and internal mobility within the Group - Profit-sharing and CSE with annual salary increases - Immersion day to discover the business and the team The little extra Blois, in the heart of the Loire Valley, offers a rich living environment with the Château de Blois and the nearby Châteaux de la Loire for cultural outings and walks along the Loire. Profile required - French-qualified midwife - Driving license required - Young graduate accepted Contact us on: 07 45 01 29 85 or by e-mail at [email protected] Reference: 12696 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Midwife sonographer - Paris 75
Employee
2500 - 4500 per month
Paris 18e
A multidisciplinary health center in Paris is looking for an ultrasound midwife for a permanent contract. This position is available for two days a week. DNA of the structure This multidisciplinary health center enjoys an excellent reputation and patient base. It has a consultation room and a modernized ultrasound room. The center is located in Paris, a dynamic city offering a wide range of services and amenities. Description and duties You will be part of a competent team in a well-equipped environment. Your main tasks will include - Performing ultrasound scans in collaboration with the team - Operating a modern, high-performance ultrasound machine - Working with four existing gynecologists Compensation For this position, you will earn 45% of sales. Benefits - Part-time permanent contract - Modern, high-performance ultrasound scanner - Modern, well-equipped premises - On-site secretary - Strong patient demand - Easy access to public transport - Development of various partnerships and mutuals Profile sought Qualified midwife with ultrasound training, registered with the Ordre des Sages-femmes. Contact us on 07 49 91 78 20 or by e-mail at [email protected] Reference : 2026 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service, and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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