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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if I sound the right type of person to be a Midwife?

32 replies

BreakingTheNews · 15/01/2019 20:30

I'm extremely keen although becoming one would be a long way off. I'd need an Access Course, then uni if I'm lucky enough to get in because midwifery courses are extremely competitive.

What inspired me to become a Midwife is the utter admiration I had for how my midwives handled my later term loss. How compassionate and professional they were. It's something that really stuck with me, and inspires me.

In addition to this, the belief in providing the best care possible for any pregnant woman. Whether she's carrying to term or deciding to terminate. Her body, her choice. 100%, no ifs or buts.

I've always been a Medical Secretary/PA.
So no clinical background or experience.

I also have a 1 year old DC.

Do I sound like the right type of Midwife you'd want delivering your care?

OP posts:
Crispyturtle · 15/01/2019 20:38

I’m a Midwife, and you sound like a great candidate. Go for it, best job in the world.

Coffeeisnecessary · 15/01/2019 20:40

You absolutely sound like the right person to be a midwife, good luck! I hope you go for it, it's been my dream too but I'm too old now.

pantyclaws · 15/01/2019 20:40

I love the idea of it but am put off by antisocial hours, I'm guessing you have to work nights, shifts, weekends etc which would be impossible with childcare (no family support).

BarryBasket · 15/01/2019 20:41

Do you have any work experience? I'd be worried that you're going into it based on your experience, which was a later term loss. That's obviously very sad, so how will you cope with someone who has happier news?

bitmynailbrokemytooth · 15/01/2019 20:41

Calm and caring would be necessary traits. You do sound good on paper so go for it.

Original poster
BreakingTheNews · 15/01/2019 20:45

Do you have any work experience? I'd be worried that you're going into it based on your experience, which was a later term loss. That's obviously very sad, so how will you cope with someone who has happier news?

I got my happy news. A healthy baby, just over a year ago Smile

OP posts:
MadameJosephine · 15/01/2019 20:47

Absolutely. I’m a midwife and you sound like the kind of colleague I’d like to have. Good luck

StowawayJo · 15/01/2019 20:47

I've long thought about this but unsure of the pay?I earn around 40k now and it would worry me racking up all the student debt then being on 25k? (No idea what a midwife earns I just plucked that out the air)

Original poster
BreakingTheNews · 15/01/2019 20:48

Forgot to add, I've run a breastfeeding work shop! Alongside a friend.

The responses I got were really heartwarming, including a lovely who sad "I'd have given up without you". She really meant it.

OP posts:
onalongsabbatical · 15/01/2019 20:51

Exactly the sort of person. Good luck with it!

Original poster
BreakingTheNews · 15/01/2019 20:51

Stow I'm with you there, the pay would be a massive shock to me since I currently work far less with far less effort, for much much more pay. I earn around £30k now (early twenties), but would be dropping down significantly even once qualified. You're looking around the £21k mark to start off with. But I don't think you pay off much student debt until you're earning above a certain amount

OP posts:
MadameJosephine · 15/01/2019 20:52

stowawayJo here are the agenda for change pay scales Newly qualified would be bottom of band 6 (I think some are band 5 during a probationary period)

Remember that this is basic pay though, night duty and unsocial hours/weekends would boost that up a bit

www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/pay-and-reward/agenda-for-change/pay-scales/annual

BarryBasket · 15/01/2019 22:03

So you're not giving the full picture?

You won't do well as you are.

That doesn't mean you can't get a place, but your current lies won't get you anywhere.

Ilnome · 15/01/2019 22:23

The kind of woman who wants to use her loss to help others is (to me) amazing xx

BlueCookieMonster · 15/01/2019 22:24

Alright Barry think you need to calm it down a bit.

OP midwifery is a tough course, but no reason why you can’t do it. All kinds of women need all kinds of midwife, you don’t need to be a ‘type’ to do well. Being kind and caring goes a long way.

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 15/01/2019 22:25

Yes you sound perfect for it.

BarryBasket · 15/01/2019 22:26

No @bluecookiemonster you're agreeing with me ffs

Notadogslife · 15/01/2019 22:31

Current lies? Did I miss something? Confused

OP - I'm sure you'd be great if you want to make a positive difference to the women you provide care for. Go for it! Just make sure you have a bladder of steel! I'm a midwife but I'm currently a health visitor. Midwifery is a tough but very rewarding career. People go into midwifery for a variety of reasons and come with a variety of personal experiences. Good luck.

Mangosmoothie · 15/01/2019 22:37

I'm a mature student midwife with school age kids. I did an access course and I'm a third year now. We spend blocks of time at uni and then blocks on placement. You do need really flexible childcare. It's hard academically and hard work but if it's what you really want to do it's amazing. Your experience would be really useful, every woman and every birth is different though. We have lots of different types of student midwife who have different strengths.

Original poster
BreakingTheNews · 15/01/2019 22:40

Thanks all so so much Thanks

Mangos Congratulations on entering your third year! Can I ask if you needed GCSS maths and English to enable you to do the Access course, and then apply for a uni place?

OP posts:
Original poster
BreakingTheNews · 15/01/2019 22:40

*GCSE

OP posts:
Notadogslife · 15/01/2019 22:43

You can do GCSE maths and Engkish alongside access bit you'll need to pass them at some point to get into uni. Some require a science GCSE as well depending on your other qualifications and grades.

Notadogslife · 15/01/2019 22:44

English. Clearly I should not have passed mine Blush

Original poster
BreakingTheNews · 15/01/2019 23:00

Notadogslife does the English GCSE you take involve both literature and language, do you know?

OP posts:
justunbelieveable · 15/01/2019 23:02

@BreakingTheNews you only have to pass language as a requirement. Literature is an extra

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