Calling all practising midwives....

INFJay · 2023-02-01T18:08:50+00:00

Am I being unreasonable to consider doing a return to practice course? I know how stressful working as a midwife was when I last practised 7 years ago; I'm aware things have only gotten worse. An opportunity has arisen for me to a RTP course but I cannot decide if I should or not. So please vote Yes aibu - if you wouldn't advise a friend (or me) to come back Or No YANBU if you would advise a friend (or me) to do the RTP. Midwifery is great and you won't regret being back working in the NHS. Thanks lovelies 💗

kw1091 · 01/02/2023 18:15

God it’s so hard to say, I honestly don’t know what the right answer is. It’s really tough at the moment, I have moved from delivery suite to a community team because I was so burnt out. But being completely honest the pressures are still there in community they just feel slightly different. I always think whether if I knew what I know now would I have ever bothered training in the first place. Don’t get me wrong I love this job, I have no idea what job I’d do if I wasn’t a midwife but it’s so so tough and I’m not sure it’s worth the thousands of free hours of labour and the university work.

Original poster

INFJay · 01/02/2023 18:19

Thanks for the reply. You say things are tough at the moment....does this mean you think things will improve?

OP posts:

kitcat15 · 01/02/2023 18:26

I work with 6 ex midwives....they all say they would never ever ever return

Happinessandrainbows · 01/02/2023 18:30

@kitcat15 out of curiosity, could I ask where you work that has 6 midwives?

PinkPrawns2 · 01/02/2023 18:32

Things won't improve if staffing remains poor... so from that point of view, yes do the return to practice!

I love my job (community like pp) but the amount of work Vs the time and staff to do it makes it v v stressful. Management aware of the issues but have so little resources to work with, and themselves under pressure from higher ups, that I don't see how it can get better. I constantly feel like I am only able to give the bare minimum care to women and that is heartbreaking.

kw1091 · 01/02/2023 18:33

I can’t see it improving no, I just meant in terms of since I’ve been qualified it’s definitely got worse. I wouldn’t even know where to start with suggestions of how it could be improved

weepsamore · 01/02/2023 18:51

This reply has been deleted

This user is a previously banned troll so we've deleted their posts and threads.

kitcat15 · 01/02/2023 19:04

Happinessandrainbows · 01/02/2023 18:30

@kitcat15 out of curiosity, could I ask where you work that has 6 midwives?

Ex midwives!..... nhs community....safeguarding children team ....8.30 to 4.30 ....monday to friday

OhBitchPeas · 01/02/2023 19:06

Don't do it, do HV.

Fizzadora · 01/02/2023 19:09

and then there were none..............

Overthehill123 · 01/02/2023 19:12

It's really hard to say.

In one hand, i want selfishly say yes please please do as we need midwives and I love my job.

But in the same breath, I'm just not able to be the midwife I wanted to be at the moment. I'm demoralised and anxious and I feel like my soul is slowly being

It's actually quite therapeutic to write that down, I'm sorry I'm not much help. I'm sorry is all I seem to say atm, im sorry there is noone to answer the call bell, I'm sorry your drugs are so late, I'm sorry I'm running between two rooms.

Overthehill123 · 01/02/2023 19:13

I have no idea why there was such a massive gap then between my
sentences!

jjeoreo · 01/02/2023 19:14

What do you do now?

I took two years out after having Dc2, did a year now out with DC3 and for the very first time seriously considering leaving the profession.

It's bad, bad, bad.

Original poster

INFJay · 01/02/2023 19:21

jjeoreo · 01/02/2023 19:14

What do you do now?

I took two years out after having Dc2, did a year now out with DC3 and for the very first time seriously considering leaving the profession.

It's bad, bad, bad.

Maternity ward clerk.
I have set shifts.

OP posts:

Elsatellsa · 01/02/2023 19:26

Although its bad at the moment just how bad it is depends a bit on the trust and setting. The trust I am in isn't as poorly staffed as some others, and although work is stressful I still enjoy it. The trust I used to work at I wasn't recommend to anyone! Can you ask for a look around or whatever?

Original poster

INFJay · 01/02/2023 19:43

Elsatellsa · 01/02/2023 19:26

Although its bad at the moment just how bad it is depends a bit on the trust and setting. The trust I am in isn't as poorly staffed as some others, and although work is stressful I still enjoy it. The trust I used to work at I wasn't recommend to anyone! Can you ask for a look around or whatever?

I work in the maternity unit at my local hospital as a ward clerk. I physically see the midwives working and their workload. I would be doing my rtp clinical placement through this Trust.
They are understaffed and overworked. But it seems to me this is standard in virtually all clinical roles within the NHS!
When I worked as a midwife in a different hospital it was the same thing there....understaffed/overworked etc etc

OP posts:

Elsatellsa · 01/02/2023 20:31

INFJay · 01/02/2023 19:43

I work in the maternity unit at my local hospital as a ward clerk. I physically see the midwives working and their workload. I would be doing my rtp clinical placement through this Trust.
They are understaffed and overworked. But it seems to me this is standard in virtually all clinical roles within the NHS!
When I worked as a midwife in a different hospital it was the same thing there....understaffed/overworked etc etc

Show quote history

In that case I'd be asking myself what was it that was making me even consider it, that might override the negatives. Personally I think as they're so short you're in a good place to try and negotiate set shifts or whatever if that's what appealed to you in your current role, or if you need the money that probably makes the decision easier as its a definite plus.

HerbalTeaAndChocolate · 01/02/2023 21:48

Speaking as someone who has given birth a few times, but is not a midwife, I'd like to thank all of you for what you do. I was blown away by what an amazing job my midwives did. I will never ever forget them. You are helping people at one of the most important and vulnerable moments of their lives. We need you. We will always need you. I hope you get more pay and better conditions. Please don't for a moment think that you are not appreciated 💕