What year are you in?
second year
Whats are your personal circumstances?
i.e. married/kids/single etc
married with 3-year-old
What did you do before you became a student midwife?
various jobs from supermarket work to manager, childminder and housewife/stay at home mum
Why did you choose Midwifery?
It was always a dream of mine. However I first worked with the elderly, then children. After having had my own child I trained as a breastfeeding peer supporter with Surestart and enjoyed working with pregnant women/new mums that I applied for the course
How did you feel on your first day at uni and in practice?
Nervous to say the least. Unsure if I could manage family and student life, finances etc. On placement I was worried about looking silly and being too quiet (I am naturally quiet). But also really proud to start living my dream.
Please share a highlight of being on the course, so far...
There have been so many highlights!!! Having the privilege to support a woman through her labour and witness the birth is one of the most amazing things.
Please share a low point and how you got through that...
Being involved in an emergency with a midwife I didn't know (my mentor was double booked and chose to work with the other student that day). I had only just started my second year and had no idea what was going on. So I stood in a corner trying not to stand in anyone's way. I also trapped my finger and made it bleed. Strangely it didn't hurt until everything had calmed down and I managed to sit down with the midwife who made sure I knew what had happened. For the following six months I thought of that shift every day whilst bruising came and went and my fingernail fell off and grew back.
Do you prefer academic or clinical?
definitely clinical although the academic is important to back up and explain what goes on in practice. Also think we should get a degree for the academic work instead of the diploma.
What is your favourite midwifery text book?
Myles (covers everything) and Oxford handbook of midwifery
What is your favourite midwifery literature book? i.e. babycatcher.
birth without violence (leboyer)
What is your shift preference? earlies/lates/long days and what time to they start and finish
long shifts, either days or nights but not mixed in one week as is happening at the moment. (7.15 til 7.45)
Are you a member of a midwifery organisation? i.e RCM/ARM/LLL
RCM
Do you feel supported in practice? if yes/no please tell us why that is.
mentors and personal teacher always helpful although continuity of mentorship would improve the placments a lot.
Do you feel supported at Uni? if yes/no please tell us why that is.
lecturers are supportive, some are more approachable than others.
Do you prefer antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal? and why?
prefer intrapartum but enjoy all of them, especially when it gets busy
What are your future plans as a midwife?
work in a stand alone midwife led unit, using complementary therapies and giving more one-to-one care
Share your wisdom.... what would you like to pass on to other students/wanabes?
for wanabes: go to open days, read journals, websites etc for background information. this is really useful for our personal statement and interview. also show how your experience and academic achievements are transferrable to midwifery.
for students 1. prepare a quiet study corner, 2. ask friends and family for help (housework, shopping etc), 3. make sure you have a picture of yourself on the fridge so your family knows what you look like when you work several days in a row/hide in the study before a deadline. 4. share your feelings with your cohort; chances are they feel the same. 5. speak to your tutor if you need academic support. As adult learners they expect us to approach them.
Most of all, enjoy the training. Time passes quickly.