Be honest: what's it like being a midwife (Scotland)

[PurpleCatCuddles]

I'm considering retraining. I'm currently in the arts working with young people but I'm incredibly interested in perinatal health and I've been thinking about working in perinatal care for a long time.

I am thinking about going down the doula route and also training as a therapist that specialises in perinatal mental health. But I'm also considering midwifery. Obviously, the two routes are very different, but I want to give both some thought.

I know the NHS is under immense strain and I know it is felt in all departments - but what's it really like working in midwifery in the NHS today?

Thank you.

Simply, don't do it.

Im going to be completely honest....

The workload is awful, you'll run around feeling scared as you're sailing too close to the wind. Terrified of missing things as you're doing the work of 3 people and spinning far too many plates.

Just barely providing the most basic care. You'll feel awful most days with moral injury.

You'll see and experience things that will give most people PTSD but you'll need to carry on.

The pay is OK but the workload and responsibility is huge. Many newly qualified midwives leave the profession in the first year. Many of my long term colleagues have left due to stress.

What @GreenDanglyearrings said.

I've cried on my way home 2 out of 3 shifts this week and I'm not even qualified yet.

The unit is so busy. There's no staff. The staff we do have are constantly pulled to other areas. My women are receiving really poor care. And there's nothing me or the other midwives can do about it. It's leaves you feeling desperately worried all the time.