I'm a student midwife - AMA

[greenluna]

I'm also a single mum and ex drug addict. Ask away!

[DragonLegs]

How do you manage your shifts with childcare? Do you have support?

[Lj8893]

Strange thread. What are you hoping to get out of it?

[greenluna]

@Lj8893

Strange thread. What are you hoping to get out of it?

Why is it strange? It's the whole point of this board, is it not? Just some entertainment for my otherwise boring Saturday night! :)

[greenluna]

@DragonLegs

How do you manage your shifts with childcare? Do you have support?

DS goes to a childminder full time. My parents, sister and friends help with childcare out of these hours and for night shifts. His father helps occasionally. So far it's worked out well (touch wood!).

[PinkyU]

Have you been aware of any malpractice cover-ups or care that has deviated from protocol that’s been less than standard but has had a favourable outcome?

[FTEngineerM]

Don’t think @Lj8893 gets what AMA is

[greenluna]

@PinkyU

Have you been aware of any malpractice cover-ups or care that has deviated from protocol that’s been less than standard but has had a favourable outcome?

I haven't been aware of any coverups at all. The midwives I have worked with have all been incredible, I genuinely have mostly seen nothing but good practise. Sometimes they can be rude, but fine apart from that.

[DragonLegs]

Did you have to tell them about your drug history? Do you feel staff have time to train you properly?

[Marauder94]

How old are you? How more babies do you have to catch?

[FluffMagnet]

How do you deal with being with women in agonising pain all day? Especially women asking for the pain to be taken away.

[greenluna]

@DragonLegs

Did you have to tell them about your drug history? Do you feel staff have time to train you properly?

No I didn't, it never came up. I don't have a criminal record or anything of the sort.

Yes and no. I have learned a lot but often just feel like I'm in the way. The NHS is so unbelievably stretched and it's hard to find extra time to do anything aside from the bare minimum.

We have books that need signing when we become competent in a skill (along with other things) and mine has barely been touched!

[Marauder94]

How have your mentors been so far? Xx

[greenluna]

@Marauder94

How old are you? How more babies do you have to catch?

I'm 21. I have 30 more babies to catch.

[JustineTimee]

What motivates you to become a midwife as a career? Do you have any worries about it as well?

[greenluna]

@FluffMagnet

How do you deal with being with women in agonising pain all day? Especially women asking for the pain to be taken away.

Fortunately, most women aren't in agonising pain for too long. It can be difficult but you quickly get used to it. I know that it is temporary and make sure I remind them of that too.

Saying "I can't do it" or asking for the pain to go away is very normal and a sign things are going well, which is how we have to look at it.

[greenluna]

@Marauder94

How have your mentors been so far? Xx

They've all been brilliant, I've been so lucky! All really nice and keen to help me learn.

[DragonLegs]

Can you tell from a woman’s behaviour (rather than examining) that she is transitioning?

[greenluna]

@JustineTimee

What motivates you to become a midwife as a career? Do you have any worries about it as well?

Being able to support and advocate for women in such an important time, being able to help with the greatest miracle of life. Saving lives, helping people, working with the public, cute babies, a secure career. I could go on!

I am worried about the work load and lack of work/life balance once I qualify. I'm also worried about stress and not being able to provide the standard of care women and their families deserve. I'm also scared about the supposed bullying culture in midwifery. I'm also scared of messing up.

[greenluna]

@DragonLegs

Can you tell from a woman’s behaviour (rather than examining) that she is transitioning?

Yes, almost always (when without an epidural). This is usually the "I can't do it" strange and women will often beg for further pain relief or a c-section.

Women often feel a lot of rectal pressure at this point, sometimes with the urge to push.

Some women vomit or become shaky, a lot of women get cold legs.

[Marauder94]

Sorry for all the questions! Since having my DS, I'd love to be a midwife as it fascinates me.


Have you ever gone in to check obs etc and realised something was wrong? And because of you doing so and being capable, managed to sort this and have a good outcome? X

[Slipperrr]

Sometimes they can be rude, but fine apart from that.

Do you not think that's an issue?

Why do you want to go into a career with a ridiculously high level of burn out, understaffing and bullying?

[heidbuttsupper]

How do you feel about taking care to the patient? How much will this effect your role?

[greenluna]

@Marauder94

Sorry for all the questions! Since having my DS, I'd love to be a midwife as it fascinates me.


Have you ever gone in to check obs etc and realised something was wrong? And because of you doing so and being capable, managed to sort this and have a good outcome? X

Don't apologise! You should go for it!

Yes, I have been in to take obs before and there have been abnormalities. These have always ended up in good outcomes.

[SwordPlay]

What's your honest opinion on induced labour?

I realise this is somewhat political. I know the doctors and midwives always want what's best for the mother and the baby but... "Nearly one in three pregnant women in England is having labour induced - an increase from one in five 10 years ago" (this is from BBC article). This is very high, surely anyone would agree..?

I've got 2 DS and with both of them I was under a lot of pressure to induce, I declined both times. Both births were successful and uncomplicated but my decision wasn't easy and I don't know if I was just lucky. Would love to know a medical professional's honest opinion. xx

[greenluna]

@Slipperrr

Sometimes they can be rude, but fine apart from that.

Do you not think that's an issue?

Why do you want to go into a career with a ridiculously high level of burn out, understaffing and bullying?

It is definitely an issue, it's not pleasant for patients, their families or the staff. It's not how I conduct myself.

Because it's what I'm passionate about. It's an essential job, we are always going to need midwives and somebody has to do it. I want to do it. All those negatives you have listed are worth it to me. I'm also hoping my generation of midwives will bring about change.