I'm a student midwife... ask me anything!

[studentmidwife123]

Inspired by the midwife AMA thread.

I'm a 3rd year student midwife and I qualify at the end of August. I'm all set, have all of my births and competencies signed, just have my dissertation and elective placement to go!

I can't give medical advice of course

With my first birth, student midwives were amazing postoperatively with my first.... because they had time. Midwives were too busy, student sat with us and showed us how to burp a baby and filling in a.feeding chart and held a syringe to try to collect some colestrum. Second time round, the midwife in labour ward did all the paperwork fine but in postnatal they weren't even interested in my urine sample which I was told they needed before discharge.

Question, did you find it annoying if you were with a woman in labour but your shift ended before birth?

Did you do any night shifts?

Did you have less placement time due to lockdown?

What was your first delivery like?

Bit niche, but: Were you taught on your course about maternity voices partnerships and coproduction of services?

Ah that's lovely, I'm glad you had good support from the student midwife. It's sad that you didn't get that from the midwife too though!
This isn't news to me, and something that we all know happens, you're right, they just don't have time. It's not good enough.

1. if I've been with a woman for the entirety of my shift and we've gelled really well it's horrible leaving her! Mainly because you want to be there for her and want to meet the baby! But also because we need those all important deliveries. I've stayed hours past my shift more times than I care to admit! If I don't stay I always try to check the notes to see how she got on.

2. yes we do night shifts! I've just finished 2 weeks of nights and I'm exhausted from them.

3. yes, I started in September 2020 so in first year we had slightly less placement time and more online university. I think we missed 5 weeks but made the hours up over the following 2 years.

4. my first ever hands on delivery was amazing! It was her first baby, and she came in at 9cm and feeling pushy which is quite rare for a primip. She basically came in, pushed a baby out, had an intact perineum, and was home 6 hours later. They called the baby Olivia, and I'll always remember them.

I have no idea what coproduction of services is, so no.

MVP's aren't really taught about specifically but it's mentioned that much in passing that I know what it is. There's also a lot of signage about it on the unit. I attended a stmw conference day where a lady from the local MVP did a talk which was really good too.

Swiftly off to google coproduction of services

Any tips for a fellow first year student?

@Lenaluthor hi! I think you really you just need to absorb as much as you can in first year. It's information overload but just take in the basics. You learn the theory of the more complex stuff in 2nd year, and in 3rd year it all starts to click.

Always, always listen to women, don't disregard what they are telling you. They know their bodies best.

My mentor says that women usually only want 2 things from you, kindness and competence. I agree with her.

Don't be scared of practicing VE's if the opportunity arises. Especially antenatal ones! I kind of did this and am less confident with them now.

Don't worry too much about births, you will get them! I started 2nd year with 2 deliveries and was panicked about it, but there was no need.

Best of luck!

What made you choose midwifery in the current state maternity services are in?

I’m a midwife and as much as I love my job most days. I would actively encourage my own friends and family away from it right now.

@Madwife123 I wanted to be a health visitor so needed to choose either nursing or midwifery to get my pin.

Midwifery fascinated me for all the usual reasons, and I didn't fancy looking after men or sick children so it was a very easy decision.

Like you, I wouldn't encourage friends or family into midwifery. It's been a horrendous 3 years, but also a lovely 3 years. I've learnt so much and its completely changed me as a person. I don't regret it at all.

Milli Hill has written some wonderful books on midwifery. Have you read any of her work and what do you think of her?

@WandaWomblesaurus I haven't actually! I always thought they were aimed more at women rather than midwives. Maybe I'll give the how to give birth like a feminist one a go though!