To retrain given that I've had a new health diagnosis :(

[Changedmynameforthis123]

I'm a regular poster but changed name for this due to not wanting to have colleagues see this.

I've recently had a diagnosis of MS that's made me a bit more 'grab the moment' than I've ever been. I've always wanted to be a midwife but wanted to hear what it's actually like to be a midwife?
My current job is full on and stressful not helped by the fact that I hate the job! I already have a degree but know I'd have to start again with another degree etc. Am I insane to do this given my diagnosis?

Any midwives out there who can tell me honestly what it's like? Xx

[ConfuciousSaywhat]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis

Given that stress and fatigue can be triggers for relapses it may not be the ideal career to retrain in.

[TellAStory]

My cousin was a GP and loved her job but after her MS diagnosis she found it difficult to cope with the demands of the job took the difficult decision to move to a part time job working regular hours in child health. Taking on a stressful, physically demanding job with irregular hours may not be a good idea long term.

Take advice from others who have MS and think it through carefully.

[londonrach]

My friend was a fully qualified health care professional who loved her job but sadly since her ms diagnosis hasnt be able to work. Shes amazing now rock climbing in a wheelchair etc but holding a job down became too much. Im very sorry about your diagnosis and hopefully someone with midwife advise will be along shortly. You right though to grap every moment!

[Sofabitch]

Midwifery is a physically demanding highly stressful job... not really a career change if your looking for an easier optio

[DampSqid]

If you are ok for money what about a doula?

[Turbinaria]

If midwifery is too demanding would she consider retraining to be breast feeding (lactation) support worker/ consultant. Most seem to be attached to midwifery units or work in community supporting mums post natally

[Changedmynameforthis123]

Thank you for this :)

It's not that I want an easier option as I know that midwifery would be equally stressful perhaps more so and just as physically demanding as my current job. It's more about fulfilling a dream! Silly I know!

[StealthPolarBear]

Doula is surely a brilliant idea! Not sure how you become one thoufh.

[Nanunanu]

The problem with Ms is the unpredictability.

You could be well for years. Stuck in a job you hate. Or you could retrain and the pressures (especiallythe long hours and nights) could make you more unwell.

Or doing a job you love could keep you working at the same level of disability that would make you leave a job that you hate.

Which it will be noone knows

If I could afford it and I had a dream to be a midwife I would retrain to do it. We have one life. Being limited by the unknown and the scary leads to regret.

[MadameJosephine]

I sort of know where you are coming from. I had a very serious car crash in 2002 and was in hospital for a long time. Luckily I recovered completely but the experience meant I did reexamine my life and think 'life is too short'. So on the day I was discharged from hospital I applied to train as a midwife which I have always wanted to do. I qualified in 2007 and love my job, I have no regrets at all.

However the course itself is extremely stressful and physically demanding (shifts and essays don't mix very well) as well as the job and only you can decide whether you think your health could suffer. Also bear in mind that, unlike when I trained, midwifery students from 2017 will now have to finance their training in the same way as other students which could be stressful in itself!

[Toddlerteaplease]

I've got MS and still work full time as a paediatric nurse. 13 hour shifts. It's hard work sometimes but work has been amazing and very accommodating. My collegues are keen for me to reduce my hours or so short shifts but I don't feel I can do that yet. Go for it. What treatment have you had?

[Toddlerteaplease]

Please PM me if you want to.

[Newmanwannabe]

Sorry,Midwifery is very stressful. High patient loads, lots of paperwork, risk of litigation high, plus the shift work might not be very good for your body rhythms. And lots of ongoing education once qualified

Someone mentioned lactation, really though to get into through midwifery it's not that easy, you need 1000 hours of clinical practice plus extra studies in certified lactation it's not something you can just do. You could get into it through peer support, but it's being tightened up and I think a lot harder to enter that way.

What about being a osteopath, or speech pathologist? They are becoming more prominent and are quite relevant for breastfeeding so you could specialise with babies. I don't know a lot about career structures/pathways for them... But I know you don't see any of them do night duty.....

[Newmanwannabe]

Doulas get to do what midwives love to do without the paperwork... And many also have side roles with placenta encapsulation, hypnobirthing, childbirth education, massage, reflexology

[Monroe]

I'm very sorry for your diagnosis

I'm not a midwife but am due to start the 3 years course in September so if you want any info or advice on the application process please feel free to ask

One thing they have stressed is that the course requires 100% attendance in order to pass so any time missed especially on placement has to be made up. You also need to be able to work the full shifts your mentor works including nights and long days.

I wish you all the best whatever you decide to do

[MadameJosephine]

Just had a thought OP, my son has some mental health difficulties and his uni has a disability advisory service which has been great in offering him support. Perhaps it might be an idea to contact someone at student services at your preferred uni to see if they could offer any advice?

Best of luck

[ConfuciousSayWhat]

With many health and social care jobs you have to undergo an occupational health assessment to prove you're medically fit to practice.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I think it very much depends on how your MS is. They are now giving very heavy duty treatments as a first line of attack so you may be fine for years.

[SemiNormal]

I've just finished an Access to Higher Education course in Health Science. A lot of the people on my course will be going on to midwifery, sadly not everyone got a place - there are very limited places at Uni and experience is really sought after so many have done placements on the ward in the hospital.

A friend on the course didn't finish, instead she went on to do bank work on the maternity ward and is so glad she did. She said midwifery is so stressful and far too much paperwork and responsibility for her, she says she still feels very fulfilled in what she is doing and that it is the better option for her. Some midwives have told her they wish they never trained. My cousin on the other hand is a midwife and she loves it, she wouldn't do anything else. My advice would be to volunteer on the maternity ward, if a position for bank staff comes up then go for that first, get a taste of it before you jump right in.

[Okay377]

What nanu said. One of the issues with MS is its unpredictability. If you have relapsing remitting then you may have very long periods of feeling well and can do whatever career you choose. I would continue with your life plans unless MS stops you doing otherwise and don't try and predict what path it will take