Student midwife during labour & childbirth?

[Poppins2016]

One of the prompts on the birth plan template provided by my midwife is:

"Can a student (usually a midwifery student) work with their mentor to provide you care?"

I have really conflicting feelings about whether I want to give permission or not.

1. My overwhelming instinct is that I'd like be to left alone during labour to get on with it by myself. If the rational side of me thought it would be safe, I'd happily have a home birth/unassisted birth. But my sensible side rules and I'm planning to have a water birth in my local midwifery led unit (plan b is standard delivery unit). I'm planning to use hypnobirthing techniques and I'm very much on board with the philosophy of a 'calm, gentle birth' (as it fits with my natural instinct). It was emphasised by the midwife who ran our course that we should tell the MLU midwives that we'd be using hypnobirthing techniques and we should emphasise that we'd like to aim for a calm, quiet environment with a minimum of conversation. Allowing a student midwife to be present seems to go against my natural instincts... It would (surely?) involve double the conversation, checking, observation and examinations.

However...

2. I strongly believe that students need to be allowed to gain experience. In the past I have always allowed student doctors, nurses, gynaecologists and midwives to give me care. How is anyone going to learn if people like me say 'no'? My instinct is to want an experienced midwife who will be as hands off as possible... But how does anyone learn how to do that without practice?

So:

Has anyone said yes to a student midwife being present? Was it ok? Did you regret it or was it a positive experience? Any pros/cons you wish had been mentioned?

I'm going to speak to my community midwife about what I should expect (if I say yes) when I next see her, but thought I'd ask for your experiences in the meantime.

That should be EMCS not elf! iPhone autocorrect

I chose not to allow students to be present, personal preference to have as few people as possible in the room. Do whatever you feel happiest and comfortable with as it’s your birth

I was v open minded first time round. I cpynted up once and through pg and the post-partum period I saw 33 people. Yep 33 all discussing v personal things.

2nd baby I insisted on consultant led care and was crystal clear about who and howany. Much better experience.

I had no problems with student midwives - but I did say in my notes on the birth plan page that I didn't consent to a student stitching me. As it happens I needed a Dr both times for stitching so it didn't come up. Second time round I had a student nurse observing - she took photos for me of my baby arriving which I really love! Do whatever makes you most comfortable though.

I had a student midwife deliver my DC2. The senior midwife went on her coffee break saying I was “only 6cm” so i was fine with the student.
My DC was born 3 mins later - that poor girl shook when she caught my baby - it was like One born as my husband had to push the alarms. It was her first delivery and she did bloody well bless her. Not the route I would have chosen but a baptism of fire if I ever saw one.
They have to learn so I say let her/him in - help is near at hand if it’s needed - unless they are on their coffee break

I had a student paramedic, she was in her 50's. it was nice having her there, she lightened the mood and held my hand!

I had a student and she wasn't supervised properly. She pulled the umbilical cord so hard it snapped causing a massive bleed and surgery.

Prior to that I had endless unnecessary internal examinations and interventions including a catheter. I was fully mobile and it wasn't necessary. I feel I was used as a peice of meat to practice on.

My student midwife monitored me with dd1 and then called another midwife whe. It was time to push. She was lovely and so supportive!

I had a lovely student who stayed with me for what felt like a never ending labour. She was really the most compassionate person there and I would have had a different experience without her. I did say no to students doing blood (bad veins) or stitches. There are other body parts people can learn on- I didn’t want any mishaps down there. My sister has very bad scarring from a student cock up so I have always been a bit wary of stitches. Most other things are fair game though as they have to learn somehow and should be supported by someone more experienced for any major decisions.