Having student midwifes and Drs present at your birth?

[Louisexox]

I'm 38 weeks gone with my 1st baby, and I hate the idea of having student midwifes or Drs present at my birth I mentioned this to my midwife and she basically called me selfish saying "why would you do that how else are they meant to learn" I'm claustrophobic and being in small rooms with a lot of people panics me and I also would like as much privacy as possible.

I understand they need to learn but I'm sure there are other womans bits they can look at other than mine.

Does anyone else feel the same, or diff?.

Also do they have to ask your permission before they allow a student to enter the room?.

Thanks.

I had a student doctor at DD2s birth. It was fine during the birth, didn't even notice she was there... but when I went to theatre after the birth to be stitched up again, I learnt far too much information from the doc, which he told the student doctor... I was in quite a bad way apparently, and quite frankly wish I had never known - because he wasn't telling me this stuff - just her!

Sorry X post - but same point!!!

It's quite amazing what goes on "down there", isn't ti Elkat?!

Haven't read the other posts but...

DD1 - had student midwife present, they asked DH if he thought I would mind, and he quite correctly said I wouldn't. She was really just in the background.

DD2 - had to have 2 paediatricians present due to meconium in the water - barely noticed they were there either. Although as they left, and before the door had closed properly I did say something along the lines of "bloody hell, are they 12, they look so young"

I really wouldn't worry about it - it'll be the last thing on your mind!

I had a medial student present. He didn't say much, I was as high as a kite and my friend and I spent hours trying to get him to go to the pub across the road for some brandy. He said after that it was one of the easiest birth's he'd seen (obviously not seen any tearing then!)
I watched a couple of caeserians as a student nurse, these were great and I learnt so much. I thanked the mothers for allowing me to be there after. I also had the job of measuring and proding when with the midwife. I wouldn't have blamed any of these mums for saying no, it's their right.

I still remember with some fondness the first delivery I ever assisted with and was incredibly grateful to the family for agreeing to my being there

I was wondering would I respond to this and anyway, here I am. I don't think most people would be averse to having, for example, one student present at birth, of one discipline, say midwifery, medicine whatever, if consent was sought and received. This topic resonates with me very strongly, as during my first dc's birth there was 5 people present, including 2 students, none of whom asked or were given permission to be there (other than the main midwife). They literally strolled in as pushing began and neither myself or partner felt we could ask them to leave. I felt degraded, exposed and humiliated and still wonder how they felt they could do that to me. The reason I'm replying is the number of people present at my delivery was important to me, as I wanted it to be kept to a minimum. The upset and distress the above caused me hasn't gone away, and I would say to the OP, if you don't want "extra" people there, tell them so! or more to the point tell your partner and get them to practise asking them to leave! Yes, of course students have to learn, but not on someone who doesn't want them there. Also, if you give birth in a busy hospital unit, the chances are there are a minimum of 1000 + births per annum - they'll find someone else who is happy to be observed some other day.
I'm assuming a normal delivery btw, I know if things go a bit pearshaped then really it's a bit up in the air as to how many are there.
I've read the other comments along the lines of "you won't care how many are there" and perhaps you won't, but the fact you're posting about it now before your baby arrives tells me it is important to you now, which is valid. It is better to have a preference voiced now rather than, like me, be very upset afterwards that other people felt able to take such advantage of you at such a vulnerable time.

If you don't want students there, that's your choice and totally fair enough - your birth. Hospital should respect.

Personally, with both mine, I would have been THRILLED if I'd had some students. The hospital was so disgracefully short staffed and I might have received some care if there were some students.

After being in labour for 28 hours with ds (1st baby), the delivery room was suddenly filled with 6 student doctors.

I was tired, scared and in pain and asked them to leave - just found it overwhelming.

However, a student midwife delivered both dd1 and dd2 and I didn't mind a bit. They were both lovely and knowing what to expect with the labour made it easier both for myself and them.

And both labours were ALOT quicker!

I agree that medical students do need practical experience in order to learn at the end of the day it is your decision and your hospital must respect that.

I had a student mw who was lovely. She attended me the entire day and the only problem was when her supervisor was off for lunch and the one she had to consult with was horrible. I wanted the horrible one out.

The doctors came in crowds and didn't give you a chance to protest. I did try to protest about anaethetist's assistnat (friend of DH's and deeply embarassing) but the 2nd time he came he was putting epidural in and didn't have enough energy to insist on chucking him out plus fear they'd make me wait longer for the epidural.

If I were you I would welcome the extra opinion, you don't normally get whiff of a doctor and your midwife will be at her best, it will at least mean you get 1st class care.. although on the other hand I screamed blue murder and many obsenities .. I would have the option that you an ask them to leave although and explain you may not be quite so polite at the time. Hope you get a more understanding midwife at your birth though ..

I had a student at my birth, and it was fine, thought I'd feel the same as you, but when it came to it, I didn't care. Having said that, stand your ground, it's you giving birth, don't get bullied in to anything you don't want. and make sure you have delegated the role of keeping them out (if that's what you decide) to your DP in advance. I wouldn't worry too much, it's not that likely there'll be a student there anyway.

Last time I was in a hospital (dermatology consult) I was asked if I minded students sitting in. I said I didn't and was surprised at the large pack that turned up. The horrible consultant then proceeded to use me as a teaching aid and twice tell all the students to come inspect my scalp, look at my rash etc. She kept asking irrelevant personal questions that were clearly aimed at showing them how to build rapport. I found it humiliating. After that experience I will always say no to students unless I can be assured that there will only be one or two.

The idea of a pack of medical students wandering in as I give birth is really upsetting.

Ah that sounds awful, I did get an awful show off once when my dd was ill, he was really patronising and accused me of reading the mail..I put him down in the end and his students laughed. I think they thought he was a tw*t too. It does depend on how many there are and what they are like, I would have thought they'd be more sensitive in childbirth. But if you are really uncomfortable just say no.

Having once, like Upwind, been the unwarned subject of a tutorial, I decided to limit the number of students at my labours. I always said that I did not mind being observed by students, as long as my or dh's permission was obtained, and never more than two students (of anything) at a time. I also insisted that I was not to be examined by a student. It was in all of my birthing plans and was respected without query.

In fact I would quite happily have allowed a student to touch me some of the time, but I know that I would not have wanted it at other times. But this way I could say "Yes" if I wanted to, rather than have to make an effort to say "No" at a time when I might want to concentrate on something else (like giving birth!), or if I was distressed.

The student who observed the Senior Reg stitching me up after my first labour was quite distressed, I think, but made a huge effort to comfort me - I was extremely distress by it all. I'm glad she was there. Both for her support of me, and so that she could see and perhaps empathise with how upsetting it can be for the mum. Certainly the SR was a complete bastard.

I had a male medical student present when i had dd. I was asked if i minded, but i had been pushing in the hospital corridor so by the time i got to labour suite i didn't care who was there!!!

He just watched from the side and was no bother. (dh says he felt a bit strange him watching actually)!!

After i had her he came up to the 3 of us and with wet eyes, thanked us for allowing him to be a part of our birth and that is was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Made it worth while letting him stay.

I would say from my experience, come in and watch but let the MW do the hands on stuff. They have to learn, but draw the line at them interfering if they're particularly wet behind the ears.

Although my SMW was quite sweet and quiet, she got on my nerves something chronic when the MW let her take over checking my baby's heartbeat in between contractions. I was labouring in the water at the time and they had to check it after every one - meaning I had to lean up for her to find it, which took her aaaages each time, compared to the MW who previously had done it in seconds. Really added to my exhaustion.

So basically my recovery time in between contractions was entirely taken up by her fiddling about saying "I can't find it"! Before I had to tell her let me lower myself back down in the water for another one. Cannot believe on hindsight I put up with it TBH. BUt then again I remained so polite in labour they had no idea I was 10cms for flippin ages!

It's your birth hon, so ask for what you want

My midwife was similar to what was said in the OP. I agreed to student mw, not student docs. I also wanted a water birth.

I got an emergency c section and a student doctor

When DS was born, we had a student midwife who was using this birth as the first one that she took charge of, with a fully qualified, experienced midwife at her side.

It was fine, except for the first 5 mins after arrival. I was 2 weeks overdue & 8.5cm dilated on arrival. The student wanted to put me on a monitor for 15m to check contractions! The qualified one told her to "look at her face - that's labour".

Clearly there are plenty of women who don't give a toss who watches so you don't need to worry that students wont have the opportunity to observer someone. Maybe you'd feel differently if you had another in the future. Your midwife is completely out of line.

As everyone says, it's up to you. Also you can change your mind at any point. I initially said yes, and then suddenly decided that I wanted as small an audience as possible. So I asked her to leave. (Well, probably shouted something rude in between contractions). My MW didn't complain at all.

I'm not proud because I know they have to learn, but I also know that I really wanted her out!

hi, i think you should do whatever feels right at the time, you may change your mind on the day itself. however, FWIW i'd just like to share my experience....i had two student MW who were 2 months away from qualifying, they stayed with me for the whole of their shift and for 3and a hlf hours extra to deliver my baby. as a result me and my partner were never left alone except for one 20 min period - we loved this, others may not have, i'm sure they would have left if we had asked them. i certainly prefferred the constant support to the 5min visit from MW every hour that my friend received.

My MW mentioned this at the antenatal class this week - they can either observe or get involved or not be there and as long as it's written in your birth plan then you will get what you want. I'm not bothered about having an observer, but less keen about having a student getting stuck in, so to speak, although I was reassured that they will be supervised at all times. I actually got the impression from the MW that she thought we should put no students on the birth plan - and she did point out that as there more than 5,000 babies born in my area each year students do get plenty of opportunities so we shouldn't feel guilty about saying no. Good luck with your birth, whoever is there

There were 10 people in the room when i had dd, she was prem so 2 scbu nurses and a 2 drs for her, a consultant, registra and 2 midwives for me my Df and my Mum ! It was manic although none of them were obtrusive really apart from the consultant who kept trying to palpate me while i was having a contraction

I am one of the women who doesnt give a toss really, I have had so much work done on my fanny i have no dignity remaining..

It should definatly be the parents choice but in the throws of labour i doubt many have the energy to care.

I've had students present for 2 out of 3 births: one female & one male (students, not babies). By the time they broached the subject they could have brought the Salvation Army Marching Band through there for all I'd have cared.