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Original poster

Midwifery training with children ???

52 replies

Dalrymps · 21/01/2011 15:56

I'm thinking of training to become a midwife once my children are school age. The reason being I've heard it's 3 years full time and pretty full on with shift work etc.

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this and can give me any advice.

My ds' are currently 3.3yo and 10mo and I'm wavering over whether to have another. I'm interested to hear from others who have trained whilst having children and what it had been like. Is doable?

TIA Smile

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Original poster
Dalrymps · 21/01/2011 23:26

Ah that's reassuring then!Grin Maybe I should just go for number 3 then and concentrate on gaining experience as a peer supporter and doing access course and reading up as much as poss before I train..

Anyone have any views on the actual job situation at the moment? I've heard that midwives are needed but there just aren't the jobs out there as not enough budget allocate to pay for them.. Or something to that effect!

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Original poster
Dalrymps · 21/01/2011 23:32

Babybear- so have you taken several years off after each dc or have family helped you look after them whilst you returned to work? Sorry to be nosey, just trying to think of all the options in my head...

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hellsbells76 · 21/01/2011 23:44

I can only speak for what's happening down here in Kent, but we've been told that we're more or less guaranteed a job once we qualify. Might be bank shifts/maternity cover rather than full time contracts at first, but the work is there.

babybear5 · 21/01/2011 23:47

Not nosey at all dalrymps..happy to help. pre and post recent babies i have done bank work which means i am at the moment not officially working full time but am available to cover any sickness, maternity etc. This works for me because i will put in my hours i am available and then get given the hours needed covered (sometimes getting a last minute phone call)so i am able to pick what hours i want and can cover. As my husband works shifts we mostly manage to work childcare between us. And between us...this pays better Grin

Original poster
Dalrymps · 21/01/2011 23:51

Ah I see, what does 'bank' work mean then? Confused

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babybear5 · 22/01/2011 00:07

sorry dalrymps i did answer but it not posted. Bank is just a list of people who can cover shifts if people phoned in sick etc. You might get a phone call in the morning to ask you work the evening etc. So you can actually pick your own work Smile

Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 00:09

Ah that sounds good Smile

Thanks for answering all my questions everyone. Am off to bed now but may pop back on tomorrow if I think of any more questions. Night all x

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babybear5 · 22/01/2011 00:17

night Smile

Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 08:29

Back againSmile

Thought of another question. How are the placements allocated? Are you required to do placements at a variety of places or do they tend to be at the one place throughout your course?

I ask because I live about 50 miles from any major hospital (in between Edinburgh and Newcastle) so I imagine a lot of my placement will be a while away. There is a maternity unit here, a small midwife led one but I don't think be able to gain all the experience I need there. You have to be super low risk to give birth there as it is so far away from a big hospital.

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Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 09:29

Oh and what are the holidays like whilst training? Do you get time off in summer etc?

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babybear5 · 22/01/2011 20:51

hello dalrymps..how r u?.....can i ask where you are from...Berwick area??? Not sure how they allocate in that way but ours tended to be very good and allocate hospitals, clinics etc that were a reasonable commute. They do take into account where you live. Holidays are the same as uni holidays would be..so yes plenty of time off..

Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 21:09

Hi, good thanks! Yes, I live in Berwick upon Tweed. Moved here just over 3 years ago and am now realising if I'd have stayed in Newcastle training would have been a lot easier!

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babybear5 · 22/01/2011 21:18

wow..small world. I did some of my maternity training in my third year in Berwick-upon-tweed because my husband lived there at the time. His brother and wife still live in berwick and we visit quite frequently. up prior road. Grin
Yes you are right..i spent a fortnight on call for the maternity unit and there was not one birth..only one post natal lady Sad
I'm not sure how that would work..what uni would you be going to..i suppose it would be the placements attached to the uni you attended. I went to stirling and was placed in falkirk royal, some girls in stirling royal.
It is still worth checking out...well worth looking into.

Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 21:26

Wow indeed, I live just up from Prior Road!! Yes the unit here is quiet. I have come back to it with both my sons from Wansbeck hosp and both times was the only person in!

I'd either train at Edinburgh or Northumbria(Newcastle). Think Edinburgh may be slightly closer but I know Newc better..

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babybear5 · 22/01/2011 21:31

Edinburgh is closer but still quite a distance. Good train service tho.
Who knows one of these days we may bump into each other if we havent already Smile
I will think of you every time i visit now Grin and you need to keep in touch cos i would love to know if you do go ahead which im sure you will..
Always around for a chat and happy to answer any questions Smile

Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 21:40

Ah that's really nice! Yeah, funny if I did bump in to you one daySmile!

I hope I do manage to go ahead cause I think I'd really regret it if I didn't..

Will deffo keep you updated on any progress and if I have any more questions I know where to come!

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babybear5 · 22/01/2011 21:55

If you fancy pm me and maybe we could meet one day Smile

Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 21:58

Great, be nice to chat in rl. How often do you visit Berwick anyway?

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lou4791 · 22/01/2011 22:08

I started my midwifery training when my (now teenage)son was 9 months old. I was also single and moved to a new city to train, where i didn't know anyone. I had deferred fron the previous year, and would not have planned to do it that way, but somehow i managed.

babybear5 · 22/01/2011 22:14

welcome lou
I am prob only in Berwick every couple of months..should visit more often to see my 7 year old neice Smile We lost my nephew to cancer 4 years ago when he was 10 so i should be visiting more often Sad
Makes you realise life is too short....

Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 22:18

Thanks for sharing your experience Lou, good to know it is possible if you're determined enough.

Babybear- that is quite often, Sad so sorry to hear about your nephew, that is so so sad... Will have to PM you and see if we can arrange a meet up sometime x

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babybear5 · 22/01/2011 22:35

That would be good Dalrymps
Take care..chat soon

Original poster
Dalrymps · 22/01/2011 22:40

You too, chat soon x

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MrsLowmain · 14/11/2011 19:44

This IS doable!!! I started my midwifery training when my twins were 17 months old - and we had two older children too! House was a mess for 3 years but I did it and walked away with a 1st class degree!!! Go for it xx

Belgrano · 06/02/2012 12:43

Hi
I am doing this now. It is incredibly hard, I have two DC under 5 and a husband with a high powered job. So I have the majority of the responsibility for the kids and house. I was so keen to just get going but I have to say I now regret not waiting longer until I had the kids in school and was finished having babies. Its a full time job with nights, weekends and all the rest and the house/kids stuff still needs doing in betweeen. Good luck with your deicison.