Launching September 2026 for midwives and clinical health practitioners.
ONLY 20 PLACES AVAILABLE - Enroll now to save your spot.
Save GBP £500 or USD $667 with the Early Bird Discount.
36 Hours CPD / CE
Pending - from the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and Midwifery Education Accredition Council (MEAC)
If approved, 36 Hours CPD accepted by ACM, MEAC, NMC, and may be accepted as 36 CERPs by IBLCE
Evidence-Based
The course tutor, Dr Michelle Irving PhD, has spent 3 years deep-diving into research to make sure all materials are current and evidence-based.
Includes full scientific references for all modules.
9 Month Schedule
The course includes monthly go-at-your-own pace modules, with videos, workbooks, plus 2 live calls a month (on Zoom) - plus full ongoing support for all students.
All live Zoom calls (held on 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month at 8pm UK time) will be recorded and replays available if you can's join live.
Combining the science of the microbiome with the art of midwifery.
To produce better outcomes together.
Together, we will explore the vital role of the microbiome from
preconception and pregnancy through labour, birth, the postnatal period and newborn life.
Comprehensive
A full-spectrum roadmap to integrating microbiome science across prenatal, birth, and postpartum care for midwives.
Practical
Clinic-ready microbiome tools, and collaboration tips for midwives.
Evidence-based
Up-to-date microbiome research translated into safe, confident decision-making in midwifery practice.
WHY THE MICROBIOME MATTERS
Small Microbes. Big Impact.
The maternal and infant microbiome plays a crucial role in immunity, metabolism, neurodevelopment, and lifelong health.
Emerging research links early-life microbial exposures to:
☑️ Reduced risks of allergies
☑️Improved immune function
☑️Better metabolic and mental health outcomes
☑️Lower risk of chronic disease in later life
As a midwife...
You are in a powerful position to influence these outcomes - starting from the very beginning.
Your instructor
I’m Michelle Irving. I am a midwife and a Midwifery Lecturer at Bournemouth University.
I’ve spent the past three years exploring the science of the maternal and infant microbiome and translating it into clear, practical learning for midwives and students.
My focus is on turning complex evidence into useful, real‑world insights midwives can bring to their day‑to‑day practice.
That’s why I created Microbiome Essentials For Midwives - an accessible, evidence‑informed course designed to empower midwives with up‑to‑date knowledge about the microbiome from pregnancy through the early postnatal period.
I’m deeply passionate about supporting midwives with tools that promote physiology, informed decision‑making, and ultimately help families get the best possible start.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Evidence you can trust.
Care you can apply.
This course translates the latest research into practical knowledge and actionable strategies you can apply in your midwifery practice.
☑️ Understand the developing microbiome from conception to early childhood.
☑️Explore the impact of birth, feeding, antibiotics, environment and more.
☑️Apply evidence to support informed conversations.
☑️Address common questions with confidence.
☑️Support equity, informed consent, and decision making.
How I Curated The Learning
I started this course by mapping the real moments you face every day - from prenatal chats to that first hour after birth. I translated complex microbiome science into simple, midwife-ready steps.
As a beginner, you’ll get clear explanations, short lessons, and practical checklists that help build your confidence.
I carefully curated the latest evidence and translated it into usable tools like talk-through scripts, decision cues, and easy care pathways you can apply right away.
Everything is neatly organised into bite-size modules with case snapshots and quick recaps, so you always know what comes next.
By the end, you’ll feel ready to support families with calm, science-backed guidance.
The Course Format
Each month, you'll have a module to work through at your own pace with presentations, short videos and written materials.
Each month, there will be 2 LIVE ZOOM CALLS (2nd and 4th Thursday at 8pm UK Time), for you to meet me and the other participants, to ask questions, and to review the course module.
At the end of each monthly module, there will be a graded multiple choice test.
At the end of the course, you will present a short poster presentation to an audience on a microbiome topic of your choosing.
Full Support
As well as the LIVE calls, the course offers full support to students, via email and messaging.
You also have a friendly knowledgable cohort of midwives from around the world to buddy with you, and support you, so you never feel like you're doing this on your own.
Course Start Date:
Doors open: Monday 7th September at 12 noon UK
First LIVE Call Thursday 10th September 2026 at 8pm UK (12 noon PT / 3pm ET)
Why Is This Important: What The Experts Are Saying
Hannah Dahlen,
Professor of Midwifery,
Western Sydney University
Debby Bogaert,
Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh
Rodney Dietert,
Emeritus Professor of Immunotoxicology,
Cornell University
Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is this course for?
A. Primarily for midwives, but also doctors, IBCLCs, and any other maternity health practitioner with clinical responsibilities caring for women in pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and postpartum who wants to bring the latest evidence about the microbiome to their clinical practice. The course is devised for UK midwives, but the lessons can be applied to midwifery and clinical care across the world.
Q. I am a doula or childbirth educator. Is this course for me?
A. Well, you are welcome to join this course, but actually, we'll be launching a course specifically designed for non-clinical health professionals (e.g. doulas, childbieth educators etc) later this year, so you might want to wait and join that one instead!
Q. When does the course start?
A. Doors open: Monday 7th September at 12 noon UK
First LIVE Call Thursday 10th September 2026 at 8pm UK (12 noon PT / 3pm ET)
The call will be recorded if you can't make the live call.
Q. How many places are available?
A. As this is a pilot programme, we are limiting spaces to 20 people, in order to fully support all students. Once the 20 places are filled up, enrollment will close.
Q. How long do I have access?
A. The course lasts for 9 months, from September 2026 to May 2027.
After the end of the course, you have access to all course materials for another 12 months.
Q. Is the course CPD accredited?
Not yet, but are in the process of applying for 36 Hours CPD/CE credits from the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and Midwifery Education Accredition Council (MEAC).
If approved, these 36 Hours CPD can be used for continuing professional development by ACM, MEAC, NMC and other professional bodies.
If approved, 36 Hours CPD/CE may also be accepted as 36 CERPs by IBLCE.
Q. How long will it take to complete?
A. The course lasts for 9 months, from September 2026 to May 2027.
Each month, a module is released, and it's for you to complete the module by the end of each month. Your questions from each month's module will be answered LIVE in the group Zoom calls (2nd and 4th Thursday each month at 8pm UK time.)
If you can't keep up - you can "pause" your enrollment, and re-join the next cohort in a few months time.
Q. What if I choose a Monthly Payment Plan and I can't make all the payments?
We will contact you and try to work with you to make a plan. This could be using another payment method, or to "pause" your enrollment, until your funds are available, and you can re-join the next cohort in a few months time.
Q. What is your refund policy?
We offer a 30 day "no questions asked" full refund policy. No refunds are available after 30 days.
Q. I am on a low-wage, or I am a student, or from a low-income country?
Contact us using the form below to ask about a Bursary Discount.
Q. When is the next cohort?
A. The second cohort is expected to start January 2027.
Q. I have another question. How can I contact you?
Use the Contact Us form on the Microbirth website >>> https://microbirth.com/contact-us/
