http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/ en Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:15:24 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.studentmidwife.net/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/ http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/upsy-daisy/290-lovely-shift-and-other-ramblings.html Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:52:58 GMT Well, had a lovely shift last night - as there was 2 Ward Clerks in (there's usually just me on most of my shifts trying to cover P/N and D/S) I based myself on delivery suite, waiting in the reception area was a lovely couple I got talking to - they were waiting for news on their daughter who'd come in due to PROM of twins.
They were so lovely and patient (not like some visitors who are virtually battering the door down demanding to be let in).

When the M/W came out she whispered to me that the twins were both boys as I had to register them on the system.....we kept this fact and weights etc to ourselves as didn't want to spoil any surprises!!

Afterwards they asked for an address to which to send a compliment letter to as they'd been so impressed with all the staff that they'd encountered, the professionalism and how everyone seemed to care!

This is what I love about the job!!! :clap:

Also, Mum came to the rescue today - as you know I'm hopefully starting access in Sept but was slightly worried about the cost of childcare (eldest gets granted hours but youngest will have to be paid for), Mum has offered to work from home on Weds afternoons so that she can have the boys so as long as nursery agree - I'll only have to pay half what I was expecting to pay!!! Just got to speak to the nursery manager tomorrow to see if they can accomodate me!!

Got my 1st midwifery book today - my bailieres dictionary!! Found a couple of interesting things already!! Just waiting for my midwife's story and baby catcher now!!

Things are hopefully starting to slot into place
xxxxxxxxx ]]> upsy daisy http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/upsy-daisy/290-lovely-shift-and-other-ramblings.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/tracyb/289-got-a-job.html Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:40:15 GMT So happy, :clap: I've been offered the job today followng on from my interview last week, so I'm thrilled to bits, am hoping that some students on here will be working with me soon:rockon:
Cannot wait for the graduation ball now on Friday and the cap and gown do on Monday, my feet haven't touched the ground yet:drink::lol: ]]> tracyb http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/tracyb/289-got-a-job.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/midwifemissy/288-not-my-cup-of-tea.html Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:19:58 GMT After three brilliant weeks on delivery suite, I am now on the post natal ward for my last placement week as a first year.

Although I have continuity of mentor this week, I have realised today that I just don't like it on there, it just isn't for me.

Although the ward is usually mad busy every day, I miss the one to one time on community, the chance to sit and talk to the women, help them with any problems they have, I know we do this on the ward, but it feels so much more pressured to me on there.

I also miss the huge range of emotions I get on delivery suite, no matter how tired I feel on there, the excitement, adrenaline and anticipation always kick iand before long I forget how tired I am and just get stuck in with my work.

It might sound very strange to say, but I feel 'at home' on delivery suite and community, and I just don't get that on the post natal ward.

Oh well, only four more days on there, roll on Friday!!!! ]]> midwifemissy http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/midwifemissy/288-not-my-cup-of-tea.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/j-/287-dark-underbelly-midwifery-student-perspective.html Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:44:32 GMT As the founder, owner and director of SMNET I am privvy to alot of information. People tell me things, they ask my advice, I help everyone that I can - alot goes on behind the scenes as Im sure you would appreciate. However this matter has arisen time and time again and I wrote this a while ago after the many discussions on and off the site about the dark side of midwifery. I wasnt sure what to do with this article, but it needs to be said...

A house is blazing to the ground, people stand around watching, it takes them 20 minutes to realise no one has dialled 999. As some of you will be aware there is such a thing as the ‘by-stander effect’, where the more people there are witnessing an event the less likely the individuals are to act.

How many times have you witnessed unkind comments, nastiness and bullying in practice and just watched, not 'dialling 999'?

How many times have you broken out in a cold sweat when another student is being berated in the staff room in front of colleagues? The cold sweat indicative of the butterflies and knot in your stomach making you feel sick, yet the sweet relief that its not you prevents you from jumping up and yelling 'STOP!'?

How many times have you been 'told off' in front of a client? Feeling the hot shame spread across your cheeks and your eyes pricked with tears? For some of you it will be none, for others it will be once or twice or more.

How many times have you been told that your mentor is sick, and then you instantly feel cut adrift, panicking inside thinking what if no-one will have me? What about my hours? What about getting my skills signed off? So you sit smiling hopefully at everyone, like an orphaned kitten trying to look as cute and lovely as possible hoping that someone will take you... you hear yourself saying 'I wont be any trouble'....... 'Id be really grateful if anyone could take me today'.... almost begging....only to hear a conversation around you about how no one wants 'the student' today. And how many of you answer to 'the student' instead of your name?

Not everyone will have experienced all of the above, but many will have experienced some and for some it has been a lot worse. I am a final year student who has taken a gap year, for many reasons and I founded, direct and run this highly successful website. It is a support network for students, providing you with educational resources, information, guidance and friendship. But what has astounded me in the 8 months the site has been running is the actual physical need for support. Many students are reporting feeling physically sick with worry, anxiety and apprehension about some of the treatment they are experiencing or witnessing, in practice.

However, once they have let the concern spill out of them onto the page and receive the kind supportive, encouraging words of other students they feel better. But this should not be where it ends. In a recent anonymous poll asking the membership ‘Is your learning experience a positive one?’ 2.27% said No 38.64% said Yes but a staggering 61.36% said ‘Sometimes’.

This is what students are reporting, these are the comments I have consent to pass on, many others are too scared to consent incase they can be identified by their comments;

‘I have never ever worked in a place with so much back stabbing bitching and moaning about people in my life’. (Year 2 Student).

‘It is beginning to really wear me down. I am a grown-up, dedicated, hard-working and enthusiastic. I am also finding I can be tolerant, patient and able to prevent myself from crying in public (sometimes).’ (Year 2 Student).

’Some of the midwives can be exceptionally cruel, I would say brace yourself’. (Year 2 Student).

‘I have had run in’s with one midwife and both times it has not been my fault but I took the brunt of it as I was the student on duty. It seemed very unfair but I was told to use it as a learning curve. After, my mentor took me to one side and told me she is like that with everyone so forget what happened and move on as I am competent in what I was doing and I did not need to be shouted at in that manner in front of others.’ (Year 1 Student).

‘I sat in handover recently, and was ignored until someone decided to ask me who I was meant to be working with. When I gave my mentor's name I was told she was off sick. Fair enough. I then sat for a minute, wondering what to do next. One of the midwives was asked to "have" me. That midwife then said in front of me (and everyone else in handover) "Oh, do I have to? I'm sick of students and I’m on NHS P tonight, so I don't want her"’ (Year 1 Student).

‘Our cohort has actually lost one of our number due to the absolute vileness of her mentor; she just couldn't take any more.’ (Year 1 Student)


‘It is terrible that they get away with it, especially when you're concentrating so hard on not doing something wrong just in case you get shouted at, or stared at, dirty looks or even for them to walk out of the room and talk loudly about how useless you are’. (Year 1 Student).

My vision is that the next generation of students come together to make the changes happen. It’s already beginning to happen on this website, you come and debrief about the catty comments, the cruel treatment or the bullying situation you have experienced and seek comfort, support and kind words. You do this rather than go along with perpetuating the bullying/catty culture that is the hidden undercurrent of some units. This website has over 1,700 members in the 8 months it’s been running, it has around 150-200 regulars that visit the site every day, and thousands each month, they seek the haven of StudentMidwife.NET and my 19 staff and I are influencing the culture of the next generation of midwives, daily.

So what do I mean by perpetuating the bullying culture? I have enough life experience outside of midwifery and prior to being a student to see how people infiltrate groups, how they become one of the gang, how they say and do the right things to fit in but still retaining who they are. The less experienced or worldly-wise students struggle with this and either feel ostracised from the group or will do literally anything to be on the inside, to be liked, to get a job at the end of their training. Self esteem rockets as they feel they are part of the group, they feel they must be midwife material as they are in the clique. But what about those units with the dark side? Those shadowy corners where gossiping, catty comments and bullying live? Where keen, enthusiastic students become broken and despairing?

Its clear, if you want to continue to fit in you don’t rock the boat, you turn a blind eye to nasty comments and bullying or you even perpetuate it yourself, agreeing, gossiping, deflecting attention from yourself incase you are next...... or do you? Have the foresight to think if they can do that to X then they can do that to you. What protects you from it? By you being an even bigger bully? If so where does that stop? We tell our children that bullies are just cowards and they are. In midwifery they are the ones that bitch about the Dr behind their back or when they have left the room, rather than being an advocate for women and challenging other health professionals. They are the ones hiding dark insecurities about themselves or maybe even their practice? Or maybe they are just scared and want to fit in unnoticed so they can get on with caring for women?

I don’t believe it is any one person. I think it is fear and it’s cultural. Cultural norms can change. It takes me back to the by-stander effect, this diffusion of responsibility, if we make caring for and looking out for one another our collective responsibility then we begin to make the change. If we choose not to behave in the 'socially acceptable' ways of our unit then again we continue the changes. If we, the next generation of midwives, don’t perpetuate it then at some point it will stop. I know people will read this and think 'Bah! You’ll never change a culture that is ingrained in midwifery, its pointless trying'. I say, it is pointless not to try, for the sake of the students of tomorrow. So many students are lost due to the dark underbelly of midwifery, and usually it is the sensitive souls that the profession seeks.

This is not intended to scare new students or put them off but for those of you that will have the misfortune to witness this dark underbelly its is to prepare you. It has to stop and it has to stop now.

You are the next generation, you will be the ones to make the difference. There are thousands of brilliant and exceptional mentors, midwives, managers and matrons who want to see an end to this. We are talking about a minority of people who are perpetuating this dark side of midwifery, and if the next generation refused to entertain the comments, the jibes and the mistreatment and instead seek out the many mentors, midwives, managers and supervisors and ask for help - then surely in time it will wither away and dissapear?

The profession has always had fights to fight and battles to win but this one is at our core. We must protect our young, our fledglings, our future, ourselves. So next time someone is gossiping, ignore it, busy yourself elsewhere. Next time you are bullied or made to cry in practice, tell someone, talk to your mentor or Uni, tutor, ward manager, supervisor of midwives and offload. Don’t carry those feelings around even if its just to talk about it, you don’t have to make a complaint but if you do you are standing up for yourself and the future student midwives to be.

Change, and possibly the type of future that midwifery has, starts with whether you accept being mistreated or witnessing mistreatment. You, and only you, can decide that. ]]> J ™ http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/j-/287-dark-underbelly-midwifery-student-perspective.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/lvogensen/286-doula-training.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:43:12 GMT Well, I was suppose to have doula training, but guess what: not enough ppl showed up :| I was sooo excited about it cuz its the first step (for me) to the road of midwifery and womens health. The good thing is that the birthing home is going to see if they can have the training next week (they are usually every six months, yikes!) because someone knew of two ppl who couldn't make it to the training this weekend. I'm living in Peru at the moment and there is ZERO midwifery training...there's an 80% cesarean rate and with that i am telling you everything. when i go to this birthing home i just feel at peace, like that is where i am suppose to be. So after the two hour conversation session we had (no training tho! hahaha) i stayed afterwards to speak to the dr. that runs the place (its run by a doctor from germany, obstetricians and doulas...who are VERY openminded) and i told her i wanted to do more, that becoming a doula was not going to be enough for me, that i wanted to get involved and i think she could how excited i was about being there (if you know me, i can't hide my emotions..hahaha) and i'm getting together with her on tuesday afternoon to talk...and i'm really looking forward to that and the doula training next weekend (I HOPE!) :yes: ]]> lvogensen http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/lvogensen/286-doula-training.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/thorat64/285-this-is-it.html Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:03:41 GMT Oh well, here goes. I have my interview in 2 hours time and I am feeling ok about it. I have read as much as I can, I had an early night and I am going to give it my best shot. Jude XX Oh well, here goes. I have my interview in 2 hours time and I am feeling ok about it. I have read as much as I can, I had an early night and I am going to give it my best shot. Jude XX ]]> thorat64 http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/thorat64/285-this-is-it.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/mumof6/284-diploma-in-midwifery.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:13:38 GMT help !!!!!:tt2: im completely lost i had myself geared up to do diploma only to read that it no longer exists that it has been replaced by the degree course. like many of you ive children and i dont no how i would manage on a means tested bursary my other half doesnt earn a great deal and i thought the bursary with the diploma would compensate for us losing my wage. im devastated that because of this my dream my never come true. i live in northern ireland if anyone has any links for me to get advice i would appreciate it very much.:cry: help !!!!!:tt2: im completely lost i had myself geared up to do diploma only to read that it no longer exists that it has been replaced by the degree course. like many of you ive children and i dont no how i would manage on a means tested bursary my other half doesnt earn a great deal and i thought the bursary with the diploma would compensate for us losing my wage. im devastated that because of this my dream my never come true.

i live in northern ireland if anyone has any links for me to get advice i would appreciate it very much.:cry: ]]> mumof6 http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/mumof6/284-diploma-in-midwifery.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/upsy-daisy/283-its-sad-what-i-get.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:22:22 GMT Just ordered some books from Amazon from the link on here...thanks SM.NET!!!! Can't wait - ordered a copy of the babycatcher which I have been meaning to read for ages, baillieres dictionary for midwives which I figured would be useful and a midwives story which is a historical account of a practising midwife within the Amish community!! I love reading - can't wait!!!

xxx ]]> upsy daisy http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/upsy-daisy/283-its-sad-what-i-get.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/kated/282-my-life-to-date.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:18:20 GMT I haven't been about much lately - well, apart from the last few days so I thought I'd just say Hola!!

It's been a manic few weeks for me; I've finished college, tried to find a full-time job, visited friends in London and spent some time at sm.NET HQ with the lovely Josie and boys!!

Well, access is over and am really missing it - I'm lost, I don't know what to do with myself! Am just trying to get everything sorted for my move to Bangor in September now; trying to fill in the mountain of paperwork that is my occupation health check; looking for somewhere to live and trying to find a job to tide me over untill I move (to no avail...)

I had a wonderful time in London - ended up in a lager drinking competition when I don't drink lager! Had my shoes stolen off my feet whilst I slept and had my toe trodden on by some girl in stilettos - nice!

I then popped down to HQ and had a wonderful time there, a lot of alcohol was consumed and a lot of laughs were had by all! Met J and R's lovely children and spent an exhausting afternoon in the park where a rather random man with two dogs asked if Josie and Rob were my parents...

Back to London to stay with a friend who was travelling back to Wales with me, again - a lot of alcohol consumed and a 4:30am finish... An eventful train journey back to Wales followed along with a lot of shin-bashing and toe crushing due to the fact that my suitcase was so heavy!

Got back to Wales and had another manic week, all early morning finishes which culminated in a 7:45am goodbye because I was working at 10! Haha, needless to say, that didn't happen!

Throughout that week I had raging toothache, which still hasn't gone but the alcohol numbed the pain slightly and I was able to enjoy a fabulous week in Wales with lots of laughter, hugs and smiles!!

I am now relishing my week off work and loving my beach walks and bike rides... Wimbledon is almost over which means I'll be lost again until I get used to not watching tennis and sleeping for most of the day...(Oh yeah, my insomnia is back with avengence (sp?) hence the sleeping during the day, I'm not THAT lazy!)

So there you have it. Insomnia is back and so am I, raring to go and full of vim and vigour (sometimes...) Haha. Missed you all and have some catching up to do with my ladies!!

xx ]]> KateD http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/kated/282-my-life-to-date.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/rachaelp/280-rain-rain-go-away.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:41:44 GMT Why does the weather have to ruin my plans? Today it is raining, typical - it was glorious Monday and Tuesday and today is my only day off this week as I am doing all the overtime I can this summer in an effort to decrease our debts before September. I had planned to take the children to the beach after school as I feel I am wasting the opportunity to spend quality time with them before I start university life and also not making use of the facilities that are literally at my front door, we have this beautiful beach, just 10 minutes walk away and we hardly use it; I remember being so excited about moving so close to the beach, vowing to do, as my mother did with us and take the children to the beach after school whenever it was a nice day. However, since the summer holidays before last, when I took a walk to the beach at least once a week, I've been there about 5 times in total, not good. :phew: It wouldn't be so bad but the weather did the same thing to me last week! Oh well, next week I have more after school time off work so maybe we'll get luckier.

On a more positive note, it turns out that DH had not been paid any of his commission for three months. This may not seem good but we have been seriously struggling to make ends meet recently, making me doubt whether it was possible for me to avoid giving up on uni and getting a full time job. DH is a trainer and he gets commision for each training session he does, as his clients are estate agents, with the housing market slow down, his training had slowed down so we knew his wages would drop, which is why he didn't notice that he hadn't been paid any commission at all, it is only because he had a fairly good month this month and his pay was no better that he eventually noticed he'd only had his basic wages for the last three months. So, while things were not great, it shouldn't have been as bad as it has been and now he's owed a nice nice chunk of money, which he should get soon. :clap:So we can afford a few days camping somewhere this summer. :clap:Even better, while I know it won't be easy, we can afford for me to go to uni:yes:. ]]> RachaelP http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/rachaelp/280-rain-rain-go-away.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/bluetack/279-water-birth-study-day.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:55:22 GMT Hi there, just back from Manchester where I attended a study day on Water Birth. Dianne Garland was the coordnator. She is so amazing and inspiring. Not only did I learn about water birth but general midwifery informantion was abailiable also. Great day out! I went skiiing on the slopes at the chill Factor after!! Great!!:rockon: Hi there, just back from Manchester where I attended a study day on Water Birth. Dianne Garland was the coordnator. She is so amazing and inspiring. Not only did I learn about water birth but general midwifery informantion was abailiable also. Great day out! I went skiiing on the slopes at the chill Factor after!! Great!!:rockon: ]]> bluetack http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/bluetack/279-water-birth-study-day.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/spunky-cupkake/278-all-done-and-dusted.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:47 GMT Finished the pre-access and counselling course. Cant wait now till september still worried about my maths but made a promise to myself that i will practise over the summer and also to start writing my personal statement really cant wait now xxx Finished the pre-access and counselling course. Cant wait now till september still worried about my maths but made a promise to myself that i will practise over the summer and also to start writing my personal statement really cant wait now xxx ]]> Spunky Cupkake http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/spunky-cupkake/278-all-done-and-dusted.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/upsy-daisy/277-had-my-access-interview.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:41:54 GMT Well, managed to find the college last night and went for the information evening/interview. As I'd already looked into the access in a lot of detail a lot of the info they gave us was stuff that I'd already found out so no surprises there!!

There was about 5 other people there, after the information session we each had an informal interview with one of the tutors. The guy who interviewed me said that I was obviously capable, well prepared and basically an ideal candidate for the course. He did look at my GCSE grades and say that I would probably need to try and gain the level 3 in maths as I'd only got an F at GCSE. I said that I'd always struggled with maths at school but had been revising on GCSE bitesize - in fact I did a mock exam yesterday and got 79%!!!!!

He said that he would be recommending me for the course and that I'd be invited back in a couple of weeks to take the online numeracy and literacy tests but he said not to worry that they were easier than GCSE grade. He basically said go ahead and make childcare arrangements and that they'd see me in Sept - YAY!!

The only downside is that the cost of the course was more than I expected, on the leaflet they sent me it said £265 for year 1 but last night they said it's £395 in the 1st year and £300 in the 2nd year. Just don't know how I'm going to find the money :(

The worse thing is that if I was single, on means tested benefits such as income support or the working family tax credits, under 25 or didn't have more than 5 GCSE's at c or above then I'd get the course free :offtopic:

So, hopefully I'll be able to do it - got to try and save some money over the next few months. Still worrying how I'm going to find the £30 a week childcare I'll need to pay for my youngest.

Arrrrghh, sorry this is turning into a bit of a whinge - I was feeling so positive about it all but there are still so many hurdles to jump

xxx ]]> upsy daisy http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/upsy-daisy/277-had-my-access-interview.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/cariblue/276-what-a-clutz.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:41:17 GMT Today i was having a lovely morning. I cut my grass, put some washing on, vacuumed, washed up, my daughter ate her breakfast nicely for once, cleaned the loo, cleaned the inside of the fridge; basically all the satisfying (but boring!!) jobs.

Then i decided like a smart a***, as i was on a roll, to vac the inside of my car!

I had almost finished and pushed my drivers seat forward to do something and smashed it straight through my windscreen!!!

I can't believe i am such a clutz, no one can believe i have done it, only me eh!! I have no excess on my insurance for this so iv'e gotta spend all my savings (a mere £150 i had saved for my much wanted college books!!) on getting it repaired!

I suppose at least iv'e got my health and a clean house lol!

I wouldn't mind but i have only had this car for a month or so!

I'm in a good mood anyway today so nothing can bring me down, (i hope)! Iv'e ordered a vaginal examination booklet from inpractice and am excited about this cause iv'e been looking for one for ages and am reeeeeeeaaaally looking forward to the quiz!!

Thanks for reading, all have a good laugh! :laughing1: xxxxxxx ]]> cariblue http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/cariblue/276-what-a-clutz.html http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/jomegsky/275-interview-time.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:00:20 GMT I have received a letter from the college asking me to go for an Interview for the Access Course on 14th July..... Good Times!!! The waiting though..... Bad Times!!!

Im am soooo impatient! :tt2:

It is 3 hours long, is this normal? It does include a group interview, small talk...:no:, solo interview and a written test. I didn't expect any of that, oh well needs must and all that.

I have nearly finished my ucas form on line (AGAIN!) ready to send off in September. I hope all this worry, waiting and study will be worth it. It just takes over doesn't it? I find I'm thinking about Midwifery, Uni and the future all the time, so much so that I'm forgetting about the here and now. To be honest it doesn't take much for me to start forgetting stuff!! :yes:

I have enjoyed reading the posts, threads and blogs on this site. It's fab to see how others are getting on and all at different stages too. Well I am a nosy girl too! :laughing1:

2 weeks til my Interview...what is that all about?! Have I mentioned I am waiting for an Interview???.... ]]> jomegsky http://www.studentmidwife.net/blogs/jomegsky/275-interview-time.html