Microbiome for Midwives
Discover 5 simple changes you can make in your maternity practice that could support a baby’s lifelong health.
Five practical workshops with experienced midwife and educator Dr Michelle Irving PhD, designed for busy midwives and clinicians. Learn the science, apply it immediately, and download ready-to-use resources.
Every interaction with mothers and babies became a chance to protect the infant microbiome.
Small changes in practice can have a lasting impact on:
- Vaginal birth
- Caesarean birth
- Skin-to-skin care
- Breastfeeding support
- Informed decision-making
This practical bootcamp shows you exactly how.
For midwives and clinicians who want the science and what to do with it
Devised for UK midwives, with lessons that apply to midwifery and clinical care anywhere in the world.
This isn’t for you if…
- You’re looking for another lengthy, purely theoretical microbiome course.
- You don’t have hands-on clinical responsibility for women in pregnancy, birth or the postnatal period.
Doula or birth worker? Our Microbiome for Doulas & Birth Workers Bootcamp is designed for you.
Start today, learn at your own pace
- 1
Enrol and get instant access
Choose GBP or USD and start straight away. Everything is available as soon as you enrol.
- 2
Learn and apply, day by day
For each day: a short science lesson and video, a practical worksheet in the bootcamp workbook, a short quiz, and clinical checklists and parent handouts to download.
- 3
Watch the live replays
Five 60-minute Zoom sessions with Michelle, including Q&A and discussion on the clinical implications for your practice.
Five focused days. Five practical topics.
The bootcamp translates the latest research into practical knowledge and actions you can bring to your midwifery practice.
The Health of the Vaginal Microbiome
Give women practical antenatal advice that protects the vaginal microbiome and supports the transfer of microbes to the baby at birth.
Getting Labour Started Well
Support the physiological onset of labour through activity, positioning and practical tools you can share from mid-pregnancy.
Promoting Physiology in Labour
Create birth environments and support positions that promote labour physiology and reduce unnecessary interventions.
Seeding the Infant Skin Microbiome
Adapt routine birth practices, including how babies are dried and handled, to protect microbial transfer after vaginal and caesarean birth.
Supporting Breastfeeding Initiation
Protect uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact so babies can complete their instinctive journey to the first feed.
Everything you need to bring microbiome-informed care to life
- A 15-minute science lessonEvidence-based, with “What you can do today in your practice”.
- A teaching videoWith practical demonstrations.
- A worksheet and quizA fill-in-the-blanks clinical worksheet, plus a short quiz to check your learning.
- Clinical resourcesChecklists with scientific references, plus bonus handouts for parents.
- A one-hour live replayZoom coaching with Michelle, answering midwives’ questions.
- Community discussionQ&A and discussion with midwives from around the world.
Dr Michelle Irving PhD
Midwife and Midwifery Lecturer at Bournemouth University.
Michelle has spent the past three years reading over 1,000 scientific papers exploring the science of the maternal and infant microbiome, and translating it into clear, practical learning for midwives and students. Her focus is on turning complex evidence into real-world insights that midwives can bring to their day-to-day practice, with tools that promote physiology and informed decision-making, and help families get the best possible start.
Your bootcamp
- 5 science modules
- 5 replays of the live Zoom sessions, with Q&A and discussion
- 5 practical worksheets in the bootcamp workbook (PDF and Word)
- 5 short quizzes to check your learning
- Clinical checklists and resources, with scientific references
- One year of access to all materials
- Certificate of completion for 10 hours CPD
2 printable handouts to share
- Microbiome for Parents Birth Cheat Sheet
An evidence-based, microbiome-mindful guide for vaginal or caesarean birth - Microbiome for Parents Birth Checklist
A form-fillable checklist for vaginal or caesarean birth
Feedback from the live bootcamp
“I am just blown away by the amount of evidence of the benefits of protecting babies’ microbiome and the simple procedures one can tweak in birth that will have a huge positive impact on mom and baby.”
“I think microbiome should be basic knowledge for all health professionals in maternity services.”
“I loved the amount of research that has been done in what you are teaching, and that Michelle had the research in mind as she answered questions.”
Choose your ticket
Pay in pounds or US dollars. Every ticket includes the full bootcamp, one year of access, bonuses and certificate.
Prices include VAT (GBP) or sales tax (USD). Start today and keep access for a full year.
For students, retired or unemployed midwives, those on a low income, and those in low-income countries.
Become a Certified Microbiome Informed Midwife
Our 9-month, part-time Microbiome for Midwives Certification Programme, with 36 hours CPD, relaunches in January 2027. Join the waitlist to be the first to hear when enrolment opens.
Who is this bootcamp for?
Primarily midwives, but also doctors, nurses, IBCLCs and other maternity practitioners with clinical responsibility for women in pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and the postnatal period. It was devised for UK midwives, but the lessons apply to midwifery and clinical care anywhere in the world.
I’m a doula or childbirth educator. Is this for me?
You’re welcome to join, but this bootcamp is aimed at clinicians. Our Microbiome for Doulas & Birth Workers Bootcamp is designed specifically for you.
When does it start?
The live sessions have ended, so you get instant access to everything, including replays of all five live sessions.
How long do I have access?
You have access to all course materials for 12 months from enrolling.
Is it CPD accredited?
On completion, you can download a certificate for 10 hours CPD, including 5 hours of participatory learning. The bootcamp meets the NMC criteria for CPD. No other CPD or CE accreditation has been applied for.
How does this count towards NMC revalidation?
The NMC requires 35 hours of CPD over the three years before revalidation, including at least 20 hours of participatory learning. This bootcamp provides 10 hours of evidence-based learning, 5 of them participatory.
Who can book a bursary place?
Students, retired or unemployed practitioners, those on a low income, and those living in low-income countries.
When is the next live bootcamp?
There are no dates yet for another live bootcamp.
What’s your refund policy?
We offer a 30-day, no-questions-asked full refund. Refunds aren’t available after 30 days.
Make a difference from the very first moment.
Practical steps to support healthier beginnings for every baby you care for.
10 hours CPD · One year of access · 30-day guarantee