Re-training as a midwife in mid-40s - what do you think?

[43Today]

After 6 years or so of being part-time self-employed my kids are now in their early teens and I am starting to think long term about work.

I always wanted to train as a midwife but felt when my kids were young it would be unfair to them, especially as I was a lone parent and child care would have been a constant headache.

Pre-kids (14 years ago!) I worked in IT but have no desire to return to it and no up-to-date skills. Since they started school I have worked as very part time language tutor and qualified as a personal trainer a couple of years ago. This really brings in pocket money only.

How likely is it that I would be considered for a place on a midwifery course (4 years long) especially as I would be over 50 when I qualified? I am considering looking for health care assistant work in the meantime, I did this once years ago as a holiday job and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a degree in a completely irrelevant area, but wondered if I should do an access course into health and social care maybe with OU. I have also thought of doing an Ante and Post Natal exercise course as this may be helpful when applying for Midwifery, but also because it would widen my range as a PT.

Any opinions would be very welcome, I would love to think that I could look forward to spending the rest of my working life doing something meaningful, useful and interesting!

Have no idea about the other stuff but my friend started a midwifery course in September. She didnt have to do the access course and her degree is in something completely unrelated.

Meant to mention she is already doing lots of night shifts on her placement.

Are your dc's old enough to look after themselves overnight. If not, childcare will still be an issue.

This is what I want to do in a few years so I'll lurk too if you don't mind!

I would also like a more general discussion. 44 and thinking of retraining, although not into midwifery - wish I knew what. Also have out-of-date IT skills!
Another lurker.. sorry

I know a 43 year old training as a doctor. Don't see why you shouldn't go for it as a midwife!

Hi again, thanks for all your responses! Generally sounding positive, I also found a website called Student Midwife which has lots of interesting info.

thanks for the birthday wishes, I have to confess I'm not 43 any more, worse luck.. Just an unimaginative user name as I joined mumsnet on my 43rd birthday, and haven't got round to changing it..

sb6699, am aware that night shifts kick in early in training, but now I am no longer a lone parent () - with another adult around this is no longer such an issue.

My DP has said he would support me 100% if I went for it, but I do think we need to discuss the shift work aspect of it in a lot more detail, mainly as to how it would affect the kids - who would be approaching GCSEs and A levels as I was studying. I don't want them to feel I am abandoning them - but is there ever a good time to retrain while your kids are still living at home?

my dh has just applied for adult nursing degree. Has unrelated degree. Is 44 years old.
Go for it!

I think your motivation to be a midwife, personal qualities and havoing a realistic level of expectation (ie do your homework!) about what the job entails is much more important than your age.

I qualified as a nurse 15 years ago and even then approx 1/3 of my cohort were 'mature students', 30,s, 4o,s and even a few into their 50's. A fair portion of the 'younger' students dropped out or never worked as nurses after qualifying.

If you qualified when 50 you would in theory still have 10 to 15 years of useful working life ahead of you, so well worth it!
Go for it!