Aisha Takes the Plunge! Midwifery College Enrollment

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Narrated Abu Said:  Some people from the Ansar asked Allah's Apostle (to give them something) and he gave to everyone of them, who asked him, until all that he had was finished. When everything was finished and he had spent all that was in his hand, he said to them, '"(Know) that if I have any wealth, I will not withhold it from you (to keep for somebody else); And (know) that he who refrains from begging others (or doing prohibited deeds), Allah will make him contented and not in need of others; and he who remains patient, Allah will bestow patience upon him, and he who is satisfied with what he has, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And there is no gift better and vast (you may be given) than patience."  [Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Number 477]

Your Duas Will Help Me Obtain the Skills Needed 

to Make a Difference in the Births of Women, insha'Allah.

“Whoever relieves his brother [or sister] of a hardship from the hardships of this world, Allah shall relieve him of a hardship from the hardships of the Day of Judgment. And whoever makes things easy for a person in difficulty, Allah will ease for him in this world and the Next. And whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal him in this world and the Next. Allah is forever aiding a slave so long as he is in the aid of his brother.” [Sahih Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and others]

What better way to relieve your sister of hardship than by helping to provide her with natural midwifery care during the labor and birth of her child?

It's with as much nervousness as excitement that I announce my application to Midwifery College of Utah!  I've been considering my role and my vision and mission in the birthing community of Saudi Arabia for quite a while.  I've come to the conclusion that I need to increase my professional skills if I really want to make a difference for women and children.

I've researched a myriad of midwifery schools and training programs.   I've chosen MCU for their academic training via distance learning as well as the degree programs that they offer.  It is my intention to earn a BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MIDWIFERY.  

There were many other programs that offered just general midwifery study without the bachelor degree.; however, because I do not already possess an underlying degree, I felt it prudent to pursue my studies at a bachelor level.  This will also give me the credentials needed to pursue my work in Saudi, insha'Allah, since the level of study is beyond just vocational certificates.

The cost of the program is roughly $24,000 USD.  Of course I haven't told my dear, supportive husband this number yet.  It also does not include shipping books and supplies, compensating local institutions and preceptors for clinical practice and observations, traveling for workshops/clinical training/exams, etc.  I'm sure by the time I factor in all these extras, that figure will at least double (especially if I have to do an internship overseas for clinical practice for the required out-of-hospital births that will not be available in Saudi).

I expect the program to take up the next four years of my life, insha'Allah.  Of course, I still plan to continue my writing for Saudi Birth Story, Saudi Life Motherhood and Parenting columns, and freelance articles for Arab News; as well as home schooling my children, completing the AMANI Birth project and training Childbirth Educators and Doulas, working with Al Bidayah Center to open their breastfeeding center in Riyadh, and whatever other life commitments are on my plate.  Please make dua for me!  

May Allah make it easy; give me strength, commitment, and stamina; provide the rizq (funds) to follow through; and make my efforts a blessing to the births of our Ummah...

AMEEEN!

Read on if you'd like to read my goals for my training and interest in midwifery, as submitted on my application to MCU... 

1. What are your goals as far as midwifery training? (300 word minimum) 

My goals for midwifery training are to complete a course of study that will give me the skills and confidence needed to attend births.  As a childbirth educator and doula, I already know a lot about birth and trust the natural process.  However, I don't have a lot of knowledge around complications, how to manage them, or how to recognize the need for medical intervention.  I also do not have the clinical or hands-on skills necessary to examine women during pregnancy or to intervene, if necessary, during labor, birth, and the postpartum period.

Because I live in Saudi Arabia, it is my goal to complete my academic study through an online medium.  However, it is important for me to do so with an institution that can not only fulfill my educational goals, but one that can also issue a recognizable degree in midwifery.  

Although I value the NARM designation and it is my goal to complete their requirements, they are not recognized by the Saudi government.  However, as an American citizen, I must consider that I may someday return to the United States, albeit highly unlikely.  Regardless, I appreciate the NARM outline for minimum levels of experience as well administration of standardized skills testing.  Therefore it is my desire to study with an institution that is recognized by NARM and teaches to their requirements.

It is also my goal to complete as much of my clinical training as possible with a local preceptor.  Although I realize that I will have to do my out of hospital birth requirements through an out of country internship program, as home birth midwifery is illegal in Saudi Arabia.

It is my desire to work with the college professionals to assess my situation and map the path of study that will ensure my successful completion of the NARM requirements as well as earning a Bachelor Degree in Midwifery.

2. Within what time period do you expect to complete your training?

2 to 4 years

3. Why are you interested in midwifery? (300 word minimum)

I am passionate about natural birth and the mother's and baby's rights to a gentle, safe start in life.  I was fortunate to have found the Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth during my first pregnancy, sixteen years ago.  Due in part to my Bradley training, I personally have experienced birth without medical intervention, eight times.

Due to my personal birth experiences, I feel it my duty to share my knowledge with other women.  Each woman deserves to be empowered with loving support to trust their bodies to birth naturally, in most cases.  For this reason, I am a certified Bradley Method® Childbirth Educator and Doula.  Although I have enjoyed teaching and attending births for the past year, it just isn’t enough.

This is especially true in Saudi Arabia, where the birthing culture is even more medical than in the States.  I find that teaching about natural birth falls short when women are faced with no home birth or birth center options and hospital birth attendants are extremely dominant.  I need to take my skills to the next level if I really want to make a difference for women and babies.

Additionally, I would like to earn a recognizable degree so that my skills are accepted within Saudi Arabia.  With that designation I would like to become a midwifery educator and preceptor to help other women become midwives here as well.  It is my ultimate desire to open the first midwifery led birth centers in the region.  These centers will encourage natural birthing options and support student midwives in clinical training.  In this way, I hope to make an impact on the birthing culture.

Currently, I have a public voice for natural birth in Saudi through my online blog, Saudi Birth Story (www.saudibirthstory.blogspot.com) and a weekly Motherhood column on Saudi Life (www.saudilife.net/motherhood).  Both venues draw great interest and are raising awareness in the region.

However talk is cheap.  I realize where my knowledge falls short as I receive a lot of inquires about complications and doctor suggested interventions.  I owe it to the women who read my work to pursue the skills necessary to back up what I write. 

4. What will be your major obstacles in completing your goals? (300 word minimum)

1.  Time:  I have eight children, three of which are under the age of five.  I am also a childbirth educator, doula, and breastfeeding counselor.  Additionally, I am an active writer and editor.

2.  Logistics:  Living in Saudi means that I will have to do all of my academic study via distance learning and I will not have the advantage of a peer study group.  I will have to travel great distances for clinical workshops, internships, and testing.

3.  Money:  In addition to course fees and books, I have to consider the cost of shipping materials from overseas as well as the expenses for my travel for clinical workshops, internships, and testing.

4.  Lack of Degree:  I do not hold a college degree or any underlying medical study or experience.  Although I do have some college credits.  This will mean that I am starting almost at ground zero in my studies.

5.  Age:  I am over forty, so it has been quite a while since I have been enrolled in school.  I am also fortunate to not need a career for income or security.  This means that I will not be motivated by necessity to complete the program.

6.  Religion:  I am Muslim, which means that I should have a male relative accompany me for any travel away from home.

7.  Internet Instability:  The internet service here can be unstable at times, making it difficult to commit to specific times of online study or submission of assignments.

8.  Obsolete Laptop:  Not only is my laptop old, it is on it's last leg with very little working memory.

9.  Telephone:  Since I am overseas, I will have to make international calls for completion of my application, as well as for any followup communication with the college.

10.  Difficult to Secure Transcripts:  It may be difficult for me to request transcripts from overseas.  Additionally, it's been several years since I attended college and under different names, so it may be difficult for the institutions to locate my records.

5. How do you plan on overcoming these challenges? (300 word minimum)

1.  I will have to manage my time on a schedule.  This must include study, teaching, writing, and family time.  Fortunately, I have older children that are helpful around the house.  My mother also lives with us and is a great help with the younger children.

2.  Fortunately, your institution offers distance learning and online teacher support as needed.  As for travel, I will have to plan for it ahead of time to ensure that I can meet the requirements of my training.

3.  I have personal income from rental property in California that should cover most of the expenses.  If it falls short, my husband is very supportive and I'm confident he will pick up the slack.  [of course I didn't realize how much it's going to be when I wrote this...it's about four times what I expected, not including the cost of travel, etc.]

4.  It's unfortunate that I never completed a degree.  However, I believe I have enough credits to apply towards the Bachelors program.  I'm hoping my credits are accepted.

5.  Age is an advantage as much as it is a disadvantage.  I am mature, dependable, and committed.  I understand the amount of work involved in this endeavor and do not enter it lightly.

6.  Fortunately, my husband is supportive and will make every effort to accompany me on any out of country trips.  However, even if he is unable, I have an older son who can travel with me, as he studies via internet and is not tied to any physical school schedule or location.

7.  Although the internet stability is an issue, I believe it is dependable enough to complete my course of study within a reasonable boundary of the planned schedule.

8.  I have been wanted to buy a new lap top for a while.  This course may be the motivation I need to go out and do it!

9.  I have a California phone number through Yahoo's voice services online.  Assuming internet cooperation, I can make my application call using the internet phone.  If the school needs to reach me, it is a domestic call for them and voice mail is delivered to my email in box.

10.  I have already looked up my colleges and am working on requesting transcripts.  Hopefully they will be able to dig up my records.

With Allah's help and blessing,

anything is possible!