What is a community midwife?
A midwife who works independently caring for pregnant women via clinics, birthing mothers at home and new mothers via home visits. I also attend case meetings regarding women and babies welfare.

How long after qualification did you become and community midwife; did you work in any other areas of midwifery previously?

I was a qualified childrens nurse for 7 years previoulsy to qualifying as a Midwife

How does a community midwife differ from those working in a hospital or birth centre environment?

It can be isolating working alone for the most part of the day but colleagues and support are only a phone call away.

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

I am married with 3 children

What did you do before you became an community midwife?

Nurse sick children

Why did you choose Midwifery?

After having my first son I felt the 'calling'

How did you feel on your first day in practice, after qualifying?

Nervous!

Please share a highlight of being a community midwife, so far...

There are so many. I have, on more than one ocassion diagnosed symptoms of pre eclampsia and sent a woman in who has delivered via emergency section that day. I hate to think what would have happened if she had not come to clinic that day.

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

there has is a culture of gossiping in some areas of midwifery and I find that very difficult to deal with and often feel like an outsider

What is your favourite midwifery text book?
Any Pharmacology books!

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

I enjoyed babycatcer. I also like Heart and Hands

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

I start my day usually at 8.00am and finish between 5 and 7 depending on whats going on.

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

RCM

Do you feel supported by your supervisor of midwives? if yes/no please tell us why that is.

yes

What are your future plans as a midwife?

Im thinking of branching out on my own

Please give us an idea of your normal working day activities….

Home visits, a clinic and more visits! On call for home birth

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

being different makes you fit in

__________________
Community Midwife thinking of going independent!