The Midwife as Surgical First Assistant

Ask the Midwife | University Midwives

Midwife as Surgical First Assistant is an expanded practice area for the CNM and CM. The midwife who serves as first assistant in surgery functions as a perinatal and birth professional in the perioperative setting. The workshop’s focus is on applying current evidence so midwives can participate and provide continuity of care for clients during a cesarean section. In this course, you will learn core knowledge and skills needed to perform as the surgical first assistant for cesarean, at a novice level. This virtual workshop is designed specifically for midwives and addresses the promotion of vaginal birth, shared decision-making and informed consent, and functioning as an active member of the perioperative team.

Attendees learn how to perform immediate pre-op preparation of the client for surgery, and during surgery provide optimal surgical exposure, participate in tissue dissection, ensure hemostasis, perform or facilitate wound closure, and perform other intraoperative functions to assist the surgeon in carrying out safe operations that optimize outcomes.

Following the workshop, each participant is responsible for set-up mentored experience in their clinical setting to gain competency in the skills needed to function efficiently, effectively, and with greater confidence as a member of the perioperative maternity care team.

Workshop Overview

Register for
Virtual Clinical Lab

Upcoming Dates 2026

Aug 25th

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, August 3
  • Full Refund Deadline: Tuesday, July 29
  • 50% Refund Deadline: Tuesday, August 12
  • Exam Due Date: Friday, August 22

Sept 22nd

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, September 1
  • Full Refund Deadline: Tuesday, August 25
  • 50% Refund Deadline: Tuesday, September 8
  • Exam Due Date: Friday, September 18

Oct 27th

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, October 5
  • Full Refund Deadline: Tuesday, September 29
  • 50% Refund Deadline: Tuesday, October 13
  • Exam Due Date: Friday, October 23
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Nov 17th

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, November 2
  • Full Refund Deadline: Tuesday, October 20
  • 50% Refund Deadline: Tuesday, November 3
  • Exam Due Date: Friday, November 13

Dec 15th

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, November 30
  • Full Refund Deadline: Tuesday, November 17
  • 50% Refund Deadline: Tuesday, December 1
  • Exam Due Date: Friday, December 11
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