Has anyone left Midwifery?

[MooChops89]

I've been a Midwife for 5 years and I don't think I want to be anymore
I've recently come back from having my own baby and I find myself having anxiety attacks before every shift. I don't think it's leaving my baby that's the problem - she's with my mum so I don't need to worry about her, plus after 11 months off it's nice to be something other than 'Mum' a few times a week!

It's the feeling of something terrible happening at any moment and being struck off, the sheer responsibility for people's lives, being rushed to get women in and out, the ridiculous amount of paperwork, the stress, not leaving on time ever, waking up in the middle of the night panicking I've forgotten to do or say something...
I've felt like this since qualifying and 5 years in it's not getting any better.

I want a job I can leave behind when I go home, where if I make a mistake it doesn't put lives at risk. I feel trapped because if i leave it's a waste of the last 10 years of my life (training and qualified) but I'm so unhappy. I cant take another 40 odd years of this!

Has anyone left Midwifery? What did you do and how did you get there?

Sending a hug. I am a midwife and have been for 30 Years!! I am still working in a Lead non clinical role. I fully sympathise with your comments and totally get your feelings. Despite having years of clinical experience I would be very reluctant to work in a clinical area now for all the reasons you say. Do you like being a midwife? Are there any less clinical roles you could apply for? Any chance of being supported through further studies?

Thanks for your reply - I like normal labour care but I think that's really the only thing I like about it. I'm currently looking at other options but there don't seem to be many non-clinical roles in the NW where I am. I'm not sure if I just want out of the NHS altogether and to have a 'normal' job!

Was hoping some ex midwives might reply to give me some ideas

What about working in a MLU or birth centre? They tend to be less frantic than high risk areas and the wards. Is there any chance of shadowing someone in a non clinical role. Could you ask about this in your PADR or speak to your education lead.
What about health visiting? ( although I couldn’t think of anything worse no disrespect to any HVs!! ) The good thing about the NHS is it’s flexible, our leave and pension are good too.
Obviously depends how much you really want to leave.
Have you thought about being a sexual health nurse? Really interesting . The CASH course is mainly worki based learning, so something you could hopefully fit in.

I thought about MLU / birth centre but I suppose there's still the level of responsibility and potential for things to go wrong. I'm very interested in Sexual Health, have been looking at BPAS jobs today. Definitely something I'd consider.

I'm quite scared of making the wrong decision and regretting it. But I guess if I ever really wanted to come back I could do a return to practice, the door isn't completely closed. From what I've read on other threads / forums though, nobody seems to have regretted their decision to leave!

What about health visiting? ( although I couldn’t think of anything worse smile no disrespect to any HVs!!

I went from midwifery to health visiting. No offence taken. It's the best job in the world.

What Diemne said......

I was a midwife for 18 years and have been a HV for 5. It is in no way the perfect job but I have grown with it and developed my own areas of specialist interest. It is hard work and caseloading is obviously an adjustment but it is very flexible. I work v hard including catching up on admin in the evening and days off but I make the hours suit me.