Standards & Credibility
At Wombs of the World, we are committed to offering transformative educational experiences that empower birthworkers with culturally immersive, hands-on learning opportunities. While our certificates are not tied to formal accreditation, they represent a profound journey of growth, cultural competency, and professional development within the global birthwork landscape.
Our Certificate of Completion signifies a participant’s successful fulfillment of an advanced, immersive birthwork training experience. It serves as a testament to their commitment to deepening their practice and understanding of global maternal health through firsthand engagement with traditional birth practices, clinical exposure, and cultural competency development.
What Our Certificate of Completion Represents:
By earning a Wombs of the World certificate, participants demonstrate:
-
Cultural Competency and Sensitivity:
-
Completion of a pre-trip Cultural Competency Training, ensuring participants engage with host communities with respect, awareness, and humility.
-
Understanding of the historical, social, and cultural contexts of maternal health in diverse global settings.
-
-
Immersive Clinical and Community-Based Learning:
-
Participation in a comprehensive, 11-day program (approximately 40 hours) that can include hands-on learning in clinical settings, shadowing midwives, and observing traditional practices.
-
Exposure to global birthwork challenges and the diverse approaches to maternal care.
-
-
Professional Growth and Advocacy Skills:
-
Strengthened capacity to advocate for culturally inclusive birthwork models in their home communities.
-
Expansion of their professional networks and peer collaborations through engagement with a global birthworker community.
-
Increased confidence in navigating cross-cultural birth environments with ethical and informed approaches.
-
Program Expectations and Competencies
Each Wombs of the World program is carefully designed to provide birthworkers with an in-depth, hands-on learning experience that expands their understanding of global birth practices. Participants engage in immersive cultural experiences, practical skill-building, and reflective learning that deepens their approach to maternal health advocacy and culturally sensitive care.
Core Educational Outcomes Across All Programs
Upon completing any Wombs of the World program, participants will have:
-
Enhanced Cultural Competency:
-
Ability to provide culturally responsive care with a deep understanding of traditional birth practices.
-
Awareness of global maternal health disparities and culturally informed advocacy strategies.
-
-
Expanded Practical Skills:
-
Increased proficiency in hands-on techniques, including labor support, positioning, and holistic care methods.
-
Confidence in integrating traditional and modern approaches to birthwork.
-
-
Professional Growth and Leadership:
-
Greater awareness of global birthwork challenges and their intersections with social justice movements.
-
Stronger advocacy and communication skills to better serve diverse populations.
-
-
Global Network of Birthworkers:
-
A lifelong connection to a supportive, like-minded community committed to revolutionizing maternal health worldwide.
-
Revolutionary Birthworker Circles (RBC)
Total Learning Hours: 15 hours of live sessions + self-paced portal resources
The Revolutionary Birthworker Circles offer a unique, three-month online journey that challenges and inspires birthworkers to expand their perspectives and deepen their practice in a supportive, global community.
Key Competencies Gained:
-
Critical Analysis: Engage in deep discussions on birthwork, social justice, and systemic challenges in maternal health.
-
Intersectionality in Birthwork: Explore the impacts of capitalism, patriarchy, and systemic oppression on birth and motherhood.
-
Cultural Reclamation: Examine birth through historical, anthropological, and spiritual lenses to reclaim traditional wisdom.
-
Self-Directed Learning: Access an extensive library of self-paced materials, including recorded lectures, articles, and exercises to further personal and professional growth.
-
Community Engagement: Build relationships with a diverse network of birthworkers and thought leaders worldwide.
Tanzania Clinical Immersion Program
Total Learning Hours: 40 hours (11-day program)
A highly immersive experience providing hands-on clinical practice in rural maternity clinics alongside Tanzanian healthcare professionals, with additional learning from the Maasai Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), who offer invaluable insights into ancestral birthing wisdom outside of the hospital setting.
Key Competencies Gained:
-
Hands-On Clinical Practice: Direct experience supporting birth in clinical settings under the guidance of local midwives and healthcare professionals.
-
Traditional Birth Knowledge: Learn from Maasai TBAs about their ancestral methods, rituals, and holistic approaches to childbirth.
-
Cross-Cultural Competency: Develop an understanding of the unique challenges and strengths within Tanzania’s maternal healthcare system.
-
Emergency Response Awareness: Observe and support maternal care in resource-limited settings, gaining insights into emergency decision-making.
-
Advocacy and Ethical Considerations: Learn to navigate the complexities of birthwork in diverse cultural contexts while maintaining ethical integrity.
Ecuador Ancestral Birth Practices Program
Total Learning Hours: 40 hours (11-day program)
This transformative experience centers around ancestral midwifery and healing practices within Indigenous communities. Participants work closely with traditional midwives, gaining hands-on skills and a profound understanding of holistic maternal care.
Key Competencies Gained:
-
Cultural Birth Practices: Deep immersion into traditional birth wisdom, learning ceremonial practices and healing techniques passed down through generations.
-
Midwifery Skill Development: Hands-on workshops in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care using Indigenous methods such as rebozo work and plant medicine.
-
Healing Modalities: Introduction to the use of herbs, massage techniques, and rituals for supporting women’s health beyond childbirth.
-
Respectful Engagement: Learn ethical ways to integrate traditional wisdom into modern practice while respecting cultural boundaries.
-
Community Connection: Foster relationships with Indigenous birthworkers and understand the socio-political challenges they face in preserving their knowledge.
Mexico Traditional Midwifery & Holistic Health Program
Total Learning Hours: 40 hours (11-day program)
Set in the heart of Mexico, this program offers a vibrant, educational experience blending traditional midwifery with holistic health practices. Participants learn from Indigenous midwives, healers, and community leaders in a culturally rich setting.
Key Competencies Gained:
-
Midwifery Skills in Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum: Learn hands-on techniques from traditional midwives, including womb massage, herbal remedies, and body positioning practices to support physiological birth.
-
Women's Health Beyond Birth: Explore traditional healing methods for overall reproductive and hormonal health, including pelvic steaming, sobadas (abdominal massage), and closing-of-the-bones ceremonies.
-
Spiritual and Ceremonial Learning: Participate in sacred ceremonies such as cacao rituals and temazcal (sweat lodge), understanding their role in maternal and community wellness.
-
Cultural Sensitivity and Humility: Gain deep insights into the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of Indigenous birth practices in Mexico.
-
Cross-Border Perspectives: Connect global birthwork concepts with traditional approaches to create a more holistic, integrative practice.
How This Impacts Your Professional Journey
While our programs do not replace formal doula or midwifery certification, they provide:
-
Enhanced Credibility in the Field: Participation showcases a dedication to lifelong learning and cross-cultural competence.
-
Valuable Continuing Education: The hours and experiences gained can contribute to personal and professional development.
-
Networking Opportunities: Becoming part of the Wombs of the World alumni network offers ongoing support, mentorship, and collaboration.
-
Competitive Edge: Birthworkers who have completed our programs stand out with their global perspective and practical experience.
Issuance of Certificates
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, including the pre-trip cultural competency training, participants will receive an official Certificate of Completion via email. This document serves as a formal acknowledgment of their dedication, participation, and the unique skills gained through their Wombs of the World experience.
