What year are you in?
I`m a third year degree student

Whats are your personal circumstances?
i.e. married/kids/single etc

I am married with two chidren, James aged 11 and Elizabeth aged 9


What did you do before you became a student midwife?

Civil litigation - Personal injury claims


Why did you choose Midwifery?

I always wanted to be a midwife but better than expected A level results sent me down another career path. In 2002, my Mum died and I realised how short and precious life is and so decided to try and become a midwife. Five years later I am three months away from qualifying. When I moved into my house, my dad remembered having been in it before. It transpired that the district midwife had lived in my house in the 1950`s and my Dad had been sent to get her when his mother was in labour with Dad`s brother


How did you feel on your first day at uni and in practice?

I was blinded by science on the first day and then all the admin stuff with starting uni. On my first day on placement I was in theatre five minutes after starting my shift knew nothing about being sterile and caused chaos.


Please share a highlight of being on the course, so far...

My placement area practice team midwifery and so I was able, through a series of unconnected conincidences. to deiver the baby of the first woman I ever booked in for maternity care. It was very satisfying.


Please share a low point and how you got through that...

I found second year very difficult. I got through it by prozac, wine and my best friend. Since I began undertaking confidence cases, I have had every obstetric emergency possible. I get through that my taking help when it is offered and not being afraid to ask.


Do you prefer academic or clinical?

I like university to doss about in and the 9 - 4 weekday only routine but I really enjoy placement when I don`t have any assignments to do


What is your favourite midwifery text book?
Good question - Stables and Rankin Physiology of childbirth

What is your favourite midwifery literature book? i.e. babycatcher.

I discovered that my grandmother was a handywoman from reading `A Midwives tale.`


What is your shift preference? earlies/lates/long days and what time to they start and finish

Shifts are 7.30am - 8.30pm and night duty 8.15pm - 7.45am. I live quite a wau from the hospital so I don`t like earlies and lates. I prefer nights. I love labour ward on nights


Are you a member of a midwifery organisation? i.e RCM/ARM/LLL

I`m in the RCM and the ARM. I`m also a member of the Tufty Club


Do you feel supported in practice? if yes/no please tell us why that is.

I have a tremendous mentor who has never made me feel stupid even when I have made the most monumental mistakes. I am very well supported


Do you feel supported at Uni? if yes/no please tell us why that is.

Decined to answer on the grounds of confidentiality


Do you prefer antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal? and why?

I love labour ward


What are your future plans as a midwife?

To consolidate the skills I have gained over the last three years. I would like to become involved in research into the third stage of labour, which is my passion in intra-partum care


Share your wisdom.... what would you like to pass on to other students/wannabees?

Take every opportunity that you are offered as a student.

__________________
Gillian

Third Year Student Midwife