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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Students present at birth..

77 replies

SheWillBeLoved · 25/07/2009 14:22

Has anybody refused to have students present during their labour?

Part of me wants to put in my birth plan that I only want necessary people present. I don't want to feel like some sort of spectator sport during my first labour but I also know that they have to learn and experience these things as part of their course, and have no idea about whether I'm being completely unreasonable to ask for only qualified midwives to be present.

In fact, I know I'm being unreasonable I suppose I'm just looking for someone other than DP to tell me that it's okay to request the labour that I want, even if when it comes down to it I suppose you don't give a crap if you have the England football team stood in the room watching!

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TheNatty · 25/07/2009 14:26

i had a student. she was lovely, and was better then midwife! it was her that kept me going when i wanted to give up.

think about it, they dont all take notes and peer at u funny

lambanana · 25/07/2009 14:34

I had a midwife and a student at dd2's birth. student was lovely, very calm and caring. She told me later that this was her first birth and I burst out crying. She looked horrified but it was just all a bit emotional so when she told me it just tipped me over the edge!

Rolf · 25/07/2009 14:38

I put on my birth plan that I didn't want students. Also that I wanted people to speak quietly and not go in for chirpy "let's see how you're getting on" comments. And I asked my doula to "enforce" those requests. If you draft your birth plan so it's courteous and succinct, I don't see why there would be a problem.

nellie12 · 25/07/2009 14:39

yes, didn't want any at first birth. by 3rd I agreed to student midwife who was watching her first birth so was just observing. Now she did nothing wrong, but I was a bit fed up having her there towards the end because all she did was watch (all she was allowed to do by the way).

Its not unreasonable at all to only want those absolutely necessary there and shouldn't be taken as such - I speak as a qualified nurse too so know the issues involved with training.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 25/07/2009 14:43

On both of my birth plans I've said that I didn't mind having one student present, but there haven't been any about so I can't give a personal opinion.

Friends of mine who have had student mw's present said it was a positive thing for them (must have been further through their training than nellies) as they were constantly with them throughout the labour and birth.

We all have to learn, but people will respect your choice.

GoldenSnitch · 25/07/2009 14:45

I hd no problem with the student who was there at DS's birth. In fact once the epidural kicked in and I couldn't feel a thing I was all but encouraging her to join in!

I think she must have been further in in her training as sometimes the Midwife would check how dialated I was and then ask me if it was OK for the student to feel what she could and others, the student would check for dialation and the midwife would check she was right. They'd have been just as happy if I'd refused I'm sure as watching is good learning too.

At the end of the day, we have terrible midwifery service in the UK and the ones we do have need to learn somewhere. I felt quite luck to have 2 midwives all to myself to be honest!

Astrophe · 25/07/2009 14:48

I had all sorts at my 1st labour (and although I thought it would bother me, it didn't at the time), and then a student at my 2nd labour who was hopeless, and looked awkward and horrified the whole time...but didn't really bother me terribly either.

My 3rd was due last week (still waiting...) and I have said yes to a student. IME it wont bother me one way or another, and if it starts to I will get DH to ask them to leave.

BUT, I don't think you are being unreasonable to say no to students. It should be entirely your choice, and I think if you don't feel comfortable (especially being your first labour) then you should not feel bad at all. Do whatever you think will make you feel most relaxed and happy and comfortable.

hocuspontas · 25/07/2009 14:50

I loved the students. The midwives and doctors had to explain the procedures and their decisions to them so I felt I also knew what was happening. Also 'students' are older people as well they're not just 19-year old gawpers! At the Rosie they were always polite and full of good humour.

Have to say though, these were my 2nd and 3rd dcs, maybe I wouldn't have been so keen for the first, not knowing what to expect!

weegiemum · 25/07/2009 14:54

I was asked if I would mind students at ds's birth (dc2) and I said I was fine for it.

2 rather nervous girls stood in the corner and I was OK - hardly noticed them, I was busy, and also high on gas&air!

It was only after wards I discovered that they weren't midwifery students, but nursing students and it was their very first shift on the wards (small district hospital) and as it was 8.30 am it was the first practical thing they ever ever did! No wonder they looked shellshocked as I pushed out a 9lb plus baby boy, and had my tear stitched!!

For the rest of my stay (2 days) they were so appreciative and kept coming in to see ds and cuddle him - it was lovely. Until we moved away from that area we would meet them in the street occasionally and they were both very interested in his development. One went on to later train as a midwife.

TeamEdward · 25/07/2009 14:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

laurawantsababy · 25/07/2009 19:59

I was like you, I didnt want them anywhere near me. In the end a student delivered dd and I didnt know until I had given birth!

She stitched me up under the watchful eye of a senior midwife and was great. I actually felt I was sticthed better because she was taking her time and someone was behind her checking everything.

I know people say this but it is true - At the time you wont notice or care! Good luck.

funtimewincies · 25/07/2009 20:03

A student midwife delivered ds with a fully qualified midwife supervising. She was fabulous, especially in the hours after the birth when I was too sick from the Pethadine to be moved from the labour room . She kept reassuring me it was fine and to take my time and helped me have a bath and was just brilliant .

JustKeepSwimming · 25/07/2009 20:07

I've planned 2 home births and said no students to ds1, but yes to students for ds2.
the MW was so excited to have approval for students that i felt bad for saying no before - they don't get many women who say yes i gather.

(but she did an internal before calling the student out (middle of the night) and found ds2 was an undiagnosed breech so we ended up with emc-s and tbh there could have 100 students in the operating theatre, i wouldn't have noticed or cared!)

will say yes to students in the future though - esp as our community midwives are so fab i would actively encourage future midwives to spend time with them and see how it can be done!

expatinscotland · 25/07/2009 20:09

DD2 was delivered by senior midwife and student who was just about to qualify.

I didn't have a birth plan and she was born about 20 minutes after I arrived at hospital.

As I was close to full dilation upon initial exmination (just had a lip of cervix in the way), I really didn't care who was there, I just wanted baby OUT and whoever could help me accomplish that was welcome!

Student was fab!

marmoset · 25/07/2009 20:22

Bless, *sheWillBeLoved8 - all dignity goes out the window when you are a mum. With my third dc, I had several midwives, a young registrar and two consultants shine torches up my nether regions to check for a suspected amniotic leak over the course of one weekend! Couldn't be embarrassed - baby was more important. Luckily, no leak!

Anyway, i had a cast of thousands at my first delivery, including a student doc who had tears in his eyes when ds1 was born as it was his first birth too.

Of course, it is entirely up to you to choose but don't get too hung up on plans because they can change on the day or you might feel differently at the time. Go with what makes you feel most comortable just now.

GirlsAreLoud · 25/07/2009 20:25

I had a student Dr, she was so nice.

Came up to me when it was all over to thank me with tears in her eyes and to tell me DD was beautiful.

MmeJaffaB · 25/07/2009 20:28

I had a students deliver all 3 of my births, one in the UK and 2 in France. All were fantastic! I can't help wondering if things are done a little more 'by the book' when a student is present, not always a bad thing IMO!

TBH, when the time comes, you probably won't care who's there and who's not!

mumofmaniacs · 25/07/2009 20:29

Student MW's are very different to student nurses who are sometimes present. I think the S-MW's are a bit of a godsend as they dont have to attend several women and can stay with you the whole time!

scienceteacher · 25/07/2009 20:31

My first homebirth (second birth) had a student present.

She was lovely - she was overcome with emotion when DS popped out (it was her first birth).

I don't have a problem with students. They do need to get experience, and it is just another professional relationship. I think it is really important that they get to witness physiological births.

mumofmaniacs · 25/07/2009 20:34

And can I just say, with all my births I can remember them in fine detail but have no clue what the MW's look like! with DC2 the MW came back on shift as I was leaving the following morning and gushed all over me and DC as I left the lift - didn't have a clue who she was until DH told me in the car guess that's the effects of G&A!!!

beautifulgirls · 25/07/2009 20:48

I had two students (one took over from another when shifts changed). I had no problem per se with them, but I did have a HUGE problem with them being left with me alone with no supervision and no authority when I needed an epidural. My midwife went off to help deliver another baby and told her to call another qualified midwife on the suite if there was a problem - but the other midwife then refused to authorise an epidural for me as I was not her patient. We had an hour of me screaming the place down and feeling very upset about being effectively ignored before I finally got what I was asking for.
I would allow a student this time around, but only on guarantee that a qualified midwife stay with them at all times to allow authority for such decisions straight away if needed.

Caro1302 · 25/07/2009 21:40

I had a student, and mine was her first cervical examination. She was much more gentle than the MWs were. After my emcs she came to see me in the postnatal ward- she'd been looking out for my name appearing since I'd been sent home for failure to progress. I wouldn't hesitate in having one again.

cairns · 26/07/2009 12:39

I had a student Dr politely ask when I arrived at the delivery suite if she could be present. She was so polite and nice I said yes ( i previously did not want students present). She was not there throughout all of the labour just came in and out and was there at the end.

I am glad she was there as the midwife was forced to explain what was happening and therefore was more reassuring to both me and DH. At the end the midwife was unsure at the degree of my tear and therefore requested another Dr to do the stitching etc which meant everything was 'neat' I am sure it is because she didn;t want to make any mistakes with having a student Dr look over her shoulder. The student was very polite (and v emotional as it was her 1st birth) thanked me and came to visit the baby the next day.

I am currently pg with DC2 and I am now after this experience open minded about students, it just depends who they are and how involved they may be. They have to ask 1st and explain what they are there for and I did feel I had the right to say no last time. Given DC1 was big and shoulders got stuck a bit coming out I certainly don;t want a student delivering, but I am now more than happy with them observing/double checking after the midwife.

sunfleurs · 26/07/2009 12:48

I had a student and she was lovely. Far into her training as well so it was though I had two midwives. I could see my epidural dosage running low and was getting worried they wouldn't top it up in time (couldn't stand anymore pain)so she went and got me a load more and put it in my line of sight just so I was reassured it was there just in case I needed it.

She was great and very professional, I think they are more willing to do the little bits and pieces a fully trained midwife might not think was necessary or were time consuming.

helsbels4 · 26/07/2009 12:59

I had a student present at dd's birth and I have to admit that she was absolutely fantastic! She was calm and lovely and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience (ok, maybe not the pain bit!)

I don't intend to have anymore children but I wouldn't think twice about agreeing to have a student present again

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