 Re: Interviews with Student Midwives
What year are you in? 3rd and final year.
Whats are your personal circumstances?
i.e. married/kids/single etc Married to Adrian for 20 years, 4 kids (18,16,15,13) and 1 grandchild.
What did you do before you became a student midwife? Don't laugh - I was a hotel inspector and a mystery shopper.
Why did you choose Midwifery? I did an NNEB course at college when I was 17. As part of that, I had a 2 week placement in a maternity hospital and witnessed several births - I knew straight away that I wanted to be a part of it. I can remember ringing my mum after witnessing my first birth and crying down the phone at how wonderful it was.
How did you feel on your first day at uni and in practice? At Uni, I was very nervous, because of being an older student and not being particularly academic. In clinical practice I was really excited and couldn't wait to get my hands dirty 'so to speak'.
Please share a highlight of being on the course, so far... Witnessing the miracle of childbirth!!! Having any of the families in your care tell you what a difference it made to their experience to have you with them - especially when things don't go according to plan.
Please share a low point and how you got through that... My low points have all been due to family crisis, but when I have situations in practice that suddenly end up in an emergency or crash section, I find it helps to reflect personally and with colleagues to discuss the care until that point and what if anything we could have done differently to alter the outcome and then remember for that for future practice.
Do you prefer academic or clinical? Clinical, but only because I find research and referencing too time consuming for the assignments we have to write (especially as I have mental health problems with one of kids).
What is your favourite midwifery text book? Midwifery by Ten Teachers
What is your favourite midwifery literature book? i.e. babycatcher. I too love "The light in the window" had me in tears several times.
What is your shift preference? earlies/lates/long days and what time to they start and finish On delivery suite I love nights - not too many visitors, the phone isn't constantly ringing, doctors only come if we call them! Elsewhere, probably long days. All shifts are 12 1/2 hours, 07:45 - 20:15 or vice versa
Are you a member of a midwifery organisation? i.e RCM/ARM/LLL RCM, ARM
Do you feel supported in practice? if yes/no please tell us why that is. Overall yes, although I have had some problems getting my competences signed off due to my mentor not having enough time - I therefore have to return when I am not on shift to get it filled in.
Do you feel supported at Uni? if yes/no please tell us why that is. I don't think it would be fair to comment (I still need to pass this years assignments!)
Do you prefer antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal? and why? In community, I love antenatal clinics - just the fact that you can build up a relationship with the woman and her family. In the hospital, purely for the variety, I like intrapartum care.
What are your future plans as a midwife?To continue to be 'with woman'. That may sound cheesy, but that is what this means. I would prefer to do it in community, but I can still do my best wherever I am placed.
Share your wisdom.... what would you like to pass on to other students/wanabes? This course is one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life, but the blood, sweat and tears are all worth it. Be organised, listen to advice, don't become overconfident, enjoy learning from each and every new situation and above all else - remember to laugh at yourself. Remember too, that whatever you are feeling, you are not alone!  |