Students denied access to labour room

[hunkermunker]

Might be a problem in the future, don't you think?

Actually she was lovely - but as it was my first, very difficult labour and I was only 18 I think I was a candidate for 'experienced midwives ONLY'. (mind you the experienced ones were miserable old cows who kept telling me to shut up I had ages left).

(BTW I have gone on to have 2 really positive experiences - honestly )

Magic thanks for the link to the yahoo campaining group! I never feel very useful at ARM or AIMS, maybe I can help here.

Cheers, xxx

I alway said I wouldn't want students but then during two delieries was asked and said okay.

The first sudent was Angela who had nevr delivered such a a big headed (!!) baby before and who cried afterwards because she found it so lovely. The other was called Amity and all I could think of was Jaws....

If I gave birth again I'd say okay to a student.

DD was delivered by a rather lovely student doctor, under the supervision of an equally lovely midwife. She was the only one in three deliveries to tell me what was going on, and when I was distracted she kept a running commentary going so for the first time I understood what each feeling was actually doing (does that make any sense?)

I had a great midwife with DS2, and the procession that came through with DS1 were fine, if a bit remote, but the impression you get is that you are one of many births they've been involved in. My student made me feel special, she took an interest in me, DH and DD. I suppose she just had more time.

I'me happy to have students, as long as we're introduced first

i had a student in when i had laser treatment and the poor girl looked like she was going to pass out!!!! (not birth i know but they still get to see my bits)! always thought i would be bothered but apparently not.

I had a student m'wife and she was totally fab (as were all the other midwives). I wouldn't hesitate to have another student present if asked. The only problem was that when she came to say hello the next day and to ask how ds and I were, my parents were visiting and my dad had the hots for her and became a jibbering idiot.

I had a student doctor with no1. He was lovely. Held my hand through contractions etc..kept having to remind him he wasnt the dad!!!!! He wouldnt leave us alone bless!!!
Had students with dd and ds2 all fantastic and it was nice because as midwife explained to them I got to hear so was well informed about what was going on! Ds3and 4 I just had hubby and midwife

This thread has opened my mind. I think now, if dh was happy too, i wouldn't mind a student being present - to observe - i'm a bit too scared for them to do 'practicals' on me. But, i think that's a good compromise for my first baby.

I forgot that i had a few present at my antenatal appts. - they were really nice. (Although i did think one was trying to blow my arm up when taking my blood pressure - the vein on my forehead started throbbing!).

I think the big issue is for their 'gurus' to explain a students presence more. Such a small thing like introducing them would help put everyone at ease: you at a time where you feel vulnerable, and the students at a time when they are learning and probably feel equally as nervous. Especially at the time of birth. A woman needs to feel at ease with everyone in the room.

Totally appalled at 'groups' of students being marched into a room at what is an intensly heightened emotive experience for the mother and father of a birthing baby. But, actually think the presence of one student may not be such a bad thing - and it's something they will be eternally grateful for for the rest of their career.

I had a student helping out with my 3rd and 4th baby and the student I had with my 3rd was a complete nightmare she was so unprofessional and was trying to talk me into having an epidural because she had an epidural with her child and couldn't believe I had gone through all my births including this one with just gas and air and said I was mad!!! When I was giving birth she was all over the place and the midwife there had to calm her down and in my last stage she was trying to yank my placenta out and was causing me so much pain and upset that my husband shouted at her and the midwife and a midwifery sister had to tell her to leave the room - when I was having my 4th baby a month ago we were told that this student had since given up her course - as it was only a year ago - and to be honest I was not surprised with her bedside manner - the student we had with our 4th was fantastic and had so much confidence. I think that these situations would not come up very often and would advise anyone that its great for the students but if you have one that is not so good do not be afraid to voice your opinions as it is your body, your baby and your birth.

i allowed a student to give me an internal exam when induced with ds2. best advise i could give her was 'cut your nails please'. also had bump examined externally by a man who was actually better than concultant cos he was so afraid of hurting me

this is a tricky one. I work in the NHS myself and I take students on placements, albeit not in midwifery.

I don't enjoy taking students, but I do it, so feel I contribute heavily to training NHS professionals. Obviously I can't refuse to take them, they need to train!

I have also known a lot of medical students in my time, on a personal level.

However, on this occasion, I'm going into hospital as a patient rather than a professional. I've been poked and prodded by students in the past, rarely with good outcomes (painful smear test comes to mind) and I've written "no students" in my birthplan. I occasionally work in the hospital where I'm due to deliver, it's all just too close to home.

gigglinggoblin- wasn't she wearing gloves????

With my first pg I didn't want any students m/w or doctors. But after then my BestF started her medicine degree and I realised that if they aren't allowed the training then they will never anymore doctors or m/wifes etc so I said yes with 2+3.

I crossed posts with mogwai but have to agree that my most painfull smear was by a student nurse.
However when DD1 was treated in hospital she was having v.painfull injections and the student (male incidently) was the best at giving her them.

Oh FGS so crap care in labour is all our fault is it? This sort of nonsense makes me so cross. As these posts show, many people have no problem with students being present. But giving birth is one of the most intense experiences of your life and you shouldn't be under any pressure to admit anyone you are at all uncomfortable to have there (including midwives who are horrid to you, actually).
Mind you, I'd have been bloody grateful for a student - largely left alone in labour as midwife caring for seven women on delivery ward. Highly dangerous. May be why I ended up with third degree tear.
My sister had a student midwife attend her delivery who was fantastic, stayed long after her shift to see the actual birth. But that was my sister's choice - I think it is just plain wrong to put women under pressure to admit students.

Also agree with this - most painful smears have been with women and when I have had internals when pregnant and smears with male obs/doctors and they have been pain free and better than with the women.

they were long nails and you can still feel them poking/scraping through flimsy latex gloves

crossed posts with xena and edam but my last post was for xena so apologies edam if it sounded strange.

do not get me wrong edam all the student midwifes apart from just one have been great and will always encourage it as it is so good for them and they need as how else are they going to learn, so totally agree with that one. But it is a shame when some poeple do have bad experiences and I had a bad experience with a student in my 3rd child but luckily it did not hinder having a student attend my 4th as she was fantastic.