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AMA
Original poster

I’m a student Midwife AMA

65 replies

kw1091 · 16/08/2018 20:33

I can’t give medical advice (obviously) but would love to answer any curious questions you might have.

OP posts:
fairgame84 · 17/08/2018 21:37

I had DS nearly 14 years ago. I was induced because of OC and high blood pressure. After the 2nd pessary I bled quite a bit, it was like a heavy period with some clots. The midwife examined me but wasn't concerned. I've always wondered what it was and whether it was normal or she just had a good poker face?

moreismore · 17/08/2018 21:43

Are you encouraged in your training to read authors such as Ina May and Michel Odent?

moreismore · 17/08/2018 21:43

Ina May Gaskin that should be

Original poster
kw1091 · 18/08/2018 02:12

@hannahhut episiotomy was definitely something I had to psyche myself up for. Thankfully now I’ve seen a few I’m fine with it, however when it comes to me performing one I couldn’t possibly comment.

@fairgame84 totally normal! After a sweep aswell we tell women to expect some blood.

@moreismore we’re more encouraged to read text books to be honest although I have read books by Ina May Gaskin, she is a huge inspiration

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Booboostwo · 18/08/2018 08:38

Do you discuss HG in your training?

I was constantly nauseous during most of my first pregnancy and my gynecologist insisted it was normal, she was very dismissive (I live in France). Then the Dutchess of Cambridge was pregnant between my two DCs and reading about her HG made me suspicious I had had it as well. During my second pregnancy my HG was worse so I went back to the gynecologist armed with a name and information off the internet...and she refused to look at it!

Luckily I had a relatively mild version of HG and the board on helped enormously with venting but it is a bit disheartening when doctor said don’t listen. I appreciate the internet is full of homeopaths and Reiki healers, but I went with medical guidelines from other countries and pubmed articles and experiences still wouldn’t look at them.

moreismore · 18/08/2018 08:53

Yay! Great to hear Smile

Original poster
kw1091 · 18/08/2018 09:06

@booboos2 you poor thing, it is absolutely hideous! The midwives I work with in the community (antenatal and postnatal appointments and visits) take it very seriously. One of them is currently pregnant and suffering herself. We advise all of our women to go to the Dr if it is anything more than sort of once a day morning sickness for antisickness tablets. It shouldn’t be something you have to put up with! If they have trouble with the GP we can then refer them back to their GP with a letter from us so they hopefully listen but they should have in the first place.

You wouldn’t typically see a Gynaecologist over here but I guess that’s how the system is in France?

OP posts:
HannahHut · 18/08/2018 09:08

That's interesting to know. There's things in my job I think I had to get used to for sure (anything near the eyes) that I'm now fine with!

Iwantaunicorn · 18/08/2018 09:18

Hi op! I had DTs, and delivered them early due to pre eclampsia. I had a few students in the room (c section). After I’d had them and we were home, I saw in my notes that it said pre eclampsia severe. I was too knackered st the time to ask any questions (nobody actually said I had pe to me whilst I was in!) - does that mean I had pre eclampsia and it was severe, or is that just the standard description for pre eclampsia?

How long does it take for you to become qualified?

Original poster
kw1091 · 18/08/2018 09:36

@Iwantaunicorn Ahhh you poor thing! But lucky you! Multiple pregnancies fascinate me (my brother and sister are twins). I can’t be certain but I would say that you probably had a severe case of pre-eclampsia although saying that all cases are taken very seriously, seems a weird way to write it.

OP posts:
Original poster
kw1091 · 18/08/2018 09:37

@Iwantaunicorn it’s a 3 year course at uni. Although I had to retake a levels for a year as well as I didn’t have the right ones. So all in all it will have taken me 4 years

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Booboostwo · 18/08/2018 10:08

Yes in France you can self refer to a gynecologist so most women go to one directly for routine stuff like smears, and everything else. In rural areas with fewer doctors there will usually be a GP who specializes in gynecology, one who specializes in pediatrics, etc.

The French health care system is better funded so if they think you need something you get it and usually quite quickly but, in my opinion, they are really behind the times. When I was pregnant with DS the Harmony test was available privately in the U.K. but my French doctor didn’t even know what it was. It is almost impossible to get a home birth and they refuse any discussion on elective CS - very paternalistic in every direction!

nellierose · 18/08/2018 10:30

Do you forget a lot of women you care for? I was at the mat unit to see a friend, sitting in the the waiting room when the midwife who cared for me in labour and delivered my DC walked by. She stopped to have a little fuss of DC and said how cute they were, but had absolutely no recollection of me when I told her she’d delivered them 4 months earlier. I guess that makes sense as she’d probably cared for 100s more women in that short space, but weird to me that I’ll always remember her yet she won’t me

WLmum · 14/09/2018 14:05

How much chemistry is there on the course?

savingthepennies · 14/09/2018 14:06

What Uni did you study at?

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