Midwifery

What does a career as a midwife entail?

As a midwife you support future parents through the pregnancy and breastfeeding. An essential part of your work is independently supporting mothers during physiological labour and caring for them and their newborns during the following first few weeks. This also includes monitoring their state of health, giving practical advice about breastfeeding and how to take care of newborns and infants, as well as introducing the mother to postnatal recovery exercises. During pregnancy, the medical care the mother receives from her gynaecologist is complemented by consultations with the midwife. These consultations are offered during the Mother-and-Child Pass examinations. The midwife also informs the mother regarding the most important aspects of health prevention such as nutrition and addictive substances, as well as the psychological impacts of fear and anxiety, labour positions, delivery mechanisms and pain management.

With the increasing awareness regarding the importance of the pregnancy for the future development of the child, the range of working fields for midwives is also growing. Besides the traditional field of labour preparation, many midwives also integrate complementary methods such as acupuncture and homoeopathy into their work. Many midwives choose to combine their permanent position in a hospital with working as freelance midwives offering pre- and post-care or assisted home births.

What can you expect from the study programme?

This study programme is characterised by its intense practical training that comprises 50% of the programme. Right from the first semester you will be able to observe and accompany experienced midwives and doctors at work and put your theoretical knowledge into practice. You will learn all important practical skills and examination methods involved in real-life labour situations in order to perfect your skills by the end of your studies. Accompanying seminars will give you the opportunity to reflect upon the experiences and insights gained during your practical training. This ensures that our students bridge the gap between theory and practice.

In the theoretical part of your training you will learn more about the physiological and pathological processes surrounding pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. We will provide you with substantiated knowledge about the physical and emotional processes in the puerperium, everything you need to know about how to care for newborns and infants, breastfeeding and alternative nutrition methods. In your second semester you will attend lectures with students from other study programmes in order to gain important insights into other health professions related to yours.

In order to ensure the scientific foundation of your studies, you will be required to write two Bachelor Papers. The first paper in the fourth semester will introduce you to the scientific work process. For the second paper you will write about and delve deeper into a topic related to midwifery you find particularly interesting based on relevant scientific literature.

Curriculum

What can you expect from the practical training?

The practical training takes place at maternity wards, mother-child-wards, prepartal stations, obstetric stations in hospitals, or by accompanying freelance midwives at work. You will therefore collaborate closely with gynaecologists, anaesthetists, paediatricians, and health care workers already duing your studies. This will prepare you for your future role in an interdisciplinary team.

The practical part of your studies comprises 90 ECTS or 2250 hours which is a total of 50% of your 3-year education.

Duration and extent of the practical training:

• 1. semester / 15 ECTS/ 9 weeks
  
• 2. semester / 15 ECTS/ 9 weeks
• 3. semester / 15 ECTS/ 9 weeks
• 4. semester / 15 ECTS/ 9 weeks
• 5. semester / 14 ECTS/ 9 weeks
• 6. semester / 16 ECTS/ 9 weeks
  

Take the opportunity to do your practical training abroad with the Erasmus+ Programme.