Advice on retraining in midwifery in your 30s with young children

[J3llycat]

Hi there, I am wondering if anyone could give any advice / have done something similar.

I am in my early 30s thinking of retraining in Midwifery. My current career is in something completely different however I have good A Levels (including biology and psychology), and a university degree (although in something completely different). I have one toddler and am planning on having another soon ish, so thinking this is more of a plan for a couple of years down the line but just wanted to get some advice.

Could I get into a NHS midwifery apprenticeship directly? I assume they are extremely competitive.

Many thanks / any advice appreciated.

It’s bloody hard work and you need to work 24/7 so will need exceptional childcare

Thanks for your response - yes I can imagine! Are you a midwife?

On the apprenticeship: in many trusts the midwifery degree apprenticeship mostly recruits people already working there, often as maternity support workers. Working as an MSW first could be a good way in, and it lets you test the shifts and the reality with a toddler before committing to three years.

If you go the university route instead, eligible midwifery students in England can get the NHS Learning Support Fund training grant (£5,000 a year at the moment). Check the current terms on the NHSBSA site.

Before deciding, it's worth talking to 2 or 3 midwives about their actual rota and childcare. I'm happy to share a simple worksheet for working out whether the training years are affordable, if that would help.