As most of you know I am a midwife and am based in the labour ward. I have a real passion for midwifery and wish to impart my knowledge and enthusiasm to student and junior midwives.
I have real concerns that student midwives are not gaining enough experience as they train to be confident midwives on qualification.
How can students get proper labour ward experience?
Often midwives and students feel uncomfortable at asking women in labour if both can perform a vaginal examination in order to learn, so the student goes without the learning experience. You also don't want to ask someone for permission to do examinations etc. when they are obviously sore.
What do you think is the best way round this issue? Should women consent to students antenatally before coming into the hospital to show that they understand that there are students under training? They obviously would be able to opt out of having students participate in their care.
Any thoughts will be gratefully received.