Astonishingly there are many women (in my own experience) who put that they would not like students at their labours as they have a belief that it is like with medical students (so ten or so around the bed) Only yesterday, I took over the care of a lady whilst my mentor was on her break, after introducing myself, I left her to eat her lunch in peace and said I 'd be back in a few minutes to listen in and do some obs.

I read through her notes and saw she had stated NO STUDENTS in capitals in her birth plan, so immediately I went back and asked her what she thought and whether she was happy for me to carry on, she was very happy and stated she thought it would lots of medical students looking at her bits (this seems to be the normal image of students in clinical areas, and is the reason why most women state they do not want them present, I do not understand why they are not discussed with their community midwives??)

I have only once been refused involvement with care, during a community antenatal clinic, she had personal things to discuss and that was her choice.

I would never have let a student take my blood before this course as I am not the best with it (not phobic, but cannot watch, well couldn't) when going to get my bloods taken to get into uni, I went in and was greeted by a nurse and her student, she looked as terrified as I knew I would very soon, so was happy to let her take my blood, and as have really bad veins too, she did a brill job, so I 'd never not let a stude do anything now

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