Sometimes I feel so thick!
It is a while now since I qualified and I have not rushed into taking on the role of being a mentor. I wanted to be sure of myself and gain confidence in my own practice first. Now that I have a student, I am finding that I am often unable to answer her questions. Have I really forgotten so much from when I did my training? Has the level of knowledge needed for midwifery increased? Or, is the calibre of student far higher? 
- I can't decide.
I believe that I know what I need to know. I am confident in my ability to meet the woman's needs and to support her. I know what is "normal". I know how to recognise the signs that things are outside the parameters of normal, when to call for help and the management that I as a midwife need to carry out. In short, I believe that I am a safe practitioner.
But, I can't answer my student's indepth questions about all the components of a full blood count, about every detail of blood gases, or which ventricle of the heart responds to each part of a blood pressure reading.
I am a midwife, not a scientist and not a doctor! 
Am I the only one to struggle with such questions?
- I can't decide.I believe that I know what I need to know. I am confident in my ability to meet the woman's needs and to support her. I know what is "normal". I know how to recognise the signs that things are outside the parameters of normal, when to call for help and the management that I as a midwife need to carry out. In short, I believe that I am a safe practitioner.
But, I can't answer my student's indepth questions about all the components of a full blood count, about every detail of blood gases, or which ventricle of the heart responds to each part of a blood pressure reading.
I am a midwife, not a scientist and not a doctor! Am I the only one to struggle with such questions?
Total Comments 5
Comments
 |  Well I've never asked such questions on bp thats for sure, nor have I asked about the fbc in such a way. That said I have been tested on some of these things by a mentor (in a bad mood). I don't think you have to know everything, it just that we are tested so much as student, theoretically wise we cover an enormous amount a majority of which we may never encounter/need in clinical practice (usually the most confusing stuff) so I think thats when the questions come firing at you xx |
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| | The universal answer when I ask those sorts of questions, is go away and look it up and we will discuss it tomorrow! |
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| |  Thanks Canu Gess! I shall remember that one. |
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| | I would just like to assure you that as a student myself that I do notfeed I have the capacity to take in such information such as minor details of bp and blood itself. I have just started my training and have not yet been out on placement and am being taught the basics of EVERYTHING from anatomy to sociology and even spirtuality. I came into this (midwifery) to learn to do what was required to 'be with woman' I didnt realise that would mean I would need to know everything from a to z regarding healthcare. I do feel as though the training is given in such depth to enable the best possible outcomes. At this point in time however I wish there was more on how to be a good midwife - rather than a healthcare professional. Do not feel as though you are thick... see us students as your update on recent training etc. You can always ask questions too! |
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| |  You're not thick at all!!!! Sometimes i feel when i'm put on the spot i just can't get the answer out- even though i know i've read it and it's probably in there somewhere!!! As a student though i tend to ask my mentor about HOW to be a midwife- i know that my textbook will tell me about an FBC, but what about all the other stuff, like how to be 'with woman'? that kind of thing i've learned from conversations with my mentor and observing her rather than reading about the intricacies of BP and blood tests! xxxxx |
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