Students present at birth..

[SheWillBeLoved]

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!

wow Ozzie
I said yes to students last time (didn't have any in the end) and will again. If I wanted them gone, I'd ask at the time.
On the other hand I don't think it's unreasonable to say no in advance - as someone (the great Lulumama??) said, giving birth is the one time you should be totally selfish!

I had a student midwife there as well as a qualified one. To be honest I didnt mind her being there but she didnt inspire me with confidence because she had no 'bedside manner'. I felt tons happier with the midwife who was lovely. But I think that was a personality thing and not because she was a student.

She was professional and helpful (it was her that came in and realised I'd had to push and examined me - realising there was a foot hanging out and not a head on its way)

This time round I have no issues with a student being there. Its only one other person and in my opinion thats one more person to help out if theres a problem