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.