Starting this fall, Hartland College is offering young ladies a program providing certification as Childbirth Educators (CE’s) or Doulas. This education will prove profitable, not only for the prospective CE, Doula, or Midwife, but also for anyone who eventually plans to marry and bear children. Today many women choose natural childbirth with Midwives or Doulas in settings such as hospitals, birthing centers, and private homes. Every young lady should be familiar with the subject of childbearing. The knowledge gained in this line of study is of inestimable value. Those who successfully complete the first year will be certified as CE’s or Doulas. This certification is the prerequisite to the Midwifery course in the second year, should the student choose to advance to the next level.

The frequently asked questions are: “Why should I attend a school that requires extra classes when I can get certified as a CE or Doula by taking a condensed course somewhere else?” “Why should I study for three full terms when I can take a much shorter course?”

The answers are manifold:

1. The training at Hartland prepares the student to be a missionary as well as a CE or Doula. Hartland’s goal is to assist the student to be rooted and grounded in the Three Angels’ Messages, and equipped to share those messages as she ministers in the field of childbirth. What the student learns in the first two terms should prove invaluable to her until Jesus returns.
2. Hartland College is determined to follow God’s plan of specifically preparing young ladies to serve in the vital areas of childbirth and care for women. Ellen White gave ample counsel concerning this needed field of study. She declared that our training “should stand at its highest.” That is our goal!
3. This is an actual “brick and mortar” school, which has greater credibility than most internet courses, seminars, or workshops. Hartland’s curriculum will help the student to develop her own practice.
4. Hartland’s Midwifery course is designed to prepare the student to take the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) exam. Passing the NARM exam is required to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). Short internet courses, seminars, or workshops do not prepare the student for this rigorous examination.
5. Not only will the student who finishes the first year be certified as a CE or Doula, but she will have her first year of college courses behind her, should she desire to continue studying at Hartland for a college degree.

“It is not in harmony with the instruction given at Sinai that gentleman physicians should do the work of midwives. The Bible speaks of women at childbirth being attended by women, and thus it ought always to be. Women should be educated and trained to act skillfully as midwives and physicians to their sex. This is the Lord’s plan. Let us educate ladies to become intelligent in the work of treating the diseases of their sex. We ought to have a school where women can be educated by women physicians to do the best possible work in treating the diseases of women. Among us as a people, the medical work should stand at its highest.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 176