The birth of their own child is one of the most important events in life for most people. It is all the more important to have a competent contact person whom the parents-to-be can turn to with questions and problems. This task is carried out by the midwives or obstetricians. They don’t just help with the actual birth process . They look after the parents – especially the mothers – during pregnancy and in the first few weeks after the birth.
Training to become a midwife / obstetrician
Midwife or obstetrician is traditionally a training occupation in Germany . The three-year training includes 1,600 hours of theoretical lessons at a midwifery school and 3,000 hours of professional practice, which are completed in the associated hospitals. During the theoretical lessons , the trainees learn everything about pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium . In order to understand the processes in their complexity, the trainees learn the basics of natural sciences in subjects such as biology or chemistry . Even medical subjects like anatomy in the curriculum. During practical training, the prospective midwives / obstetricians go through various stations in the hospital. These include the delivery room, maternity ward, operating theater and children’s clinic. Practical work in an independent midwifery practice is also on the program. After three years, the trainees finish their training with the state examination to become a midwife or obstetrician.
Obstetrics as a subject
For a number of years it has been possible to qualify for the profession of midwife / obstetrician by studying .
Bachelor degree
According to thembaprograms, the midwifery course lasts four years. As in the training, the students acquire state recognition during this time , which entitles them to use the professional title “midwife” or “obstetrician”. In addition, the students receive the academic degree Bachelor of Science . This is the basis for a further academic career or other forms of further education.
As in training, students have to complete 3000 hours of professional experience during their studies . They do this in part during the lecture-free period, and in part during study-related assignments in clinics and midwifery practices. In the theoretical course , students learn everything about pregnancy and the birth process. In addition to the natural sciences, medical, psychological and sociological knowledge , but also the techniques of scientific work are taught and studied the latest research literature. Practical exercises in the so-called “Skill Lab” round off the course.
Another possibility of attaining the double qualification Bachelor of Science plus state recognition is a dual course of study . This combines classic midwifery training with the course. The students first go through practical training at a midwifery school that cooperates with the university. Then they join the academic training in the form of a full-time study. After six to eight semesters, the students have an academic degree and state professional recognition in their pockets.
Master’s degree
If you decide to study, you have the option of adding a master’s to the bachelor’s degree. This qualifies for a scientific career , but also for management positions or activities in midwifery training . Depending on the university, the master’s courses contain both clinical content and other advanced training modules, for example from the areas of management or education . In addition to master’s courses in the field of midwifery, graduates of a bachelor’s degree can also take part in specialized and related master’s programs. These include, for example, public health or nursing science .
Requirements for training and studying in the field of obstetrics
Entry requirements for classic midwifery training at a technical school are either a secondary school diploma or a secondary school diploma plus a two-year completed vocational training course.
In order to study , however, applicants usually need to have a technical college entrance qualification. Some courses are also aimed at midwives and obstetricians who already have professional experience . In these cases, a completed apprenticeship and two years of professional experience are sufficient to start studying.
Whether technical school, university or both: Future midwives and maternity care workers have to bring a lot with them in order to be successful in their training and job. On the one hand, qualities such as sociability , empathy and patience are necessary in order to later enjoy the job. Also, physical and mental stability are important because of the profession of midwifery / the obstetric nurse is quite strenuous: births not depend on the time of day and midwives / obstetric nurse are sometimes very long in the legs. In addition, almost all of them experience tragic events such as stillbirths in their professional lives.
For training and study, the students should also have a lot of interest in scientific and medical topics . Most schools and universities require a pre-study internship . In this, the applicants can test whether the job is really something for them.
Work areas for midwives and obstetricians
After their training, midwives and delivery carers are mostly employed in clinics, midwifery practices or birthing centers. you
- advise on the subject of having children
- accompany pregnancy
- support expectant mothers with problems
- help with childbirth
- advise parents on all questions relating to newborns.
Some graduates also work freelance or set up their own practice after a few years of professional experience . In addition to traditional midwifery work, graduates can also work for advice centers or youth welfare offices . There they lead courses on childbirth preparation or infant care, for example.
Possible occupations with a degree in obstetrics
There are other professional fields open to those who have completed their studies. For example, you can embark on a scientific career or work as an assistant or teacher at a university . Also educational activities , such as teachers at vocational schools or in adult education are possible. Master’s graduates in particular have the opportunity to take on managerial positions.
Reasons to study obstetrics abroad
German midwives are in great demand abroad. If you want to work in another country later or are simply curious about how midwives work in other countries, a study visit abroad is the right thing for you. One or more semesters abroad offer the opportunity
- the expanding technical knowledge
- to get to know other nationalities and mentalities
- the intercultural skills to train
- the language skills improve.
