Hi people,

Me and OH went to see a friend who had her first baby a few days ago, whilst we were there my friends OH mentioned in convasation that my friend had wrote on her birth plan that she didnt want student present whilst she was in labour. My OH replied to this, " Aw why not, Tiffanys a student!" and my friend said, "They asked me why and i said that i didnt really know what would be going on so i definatly didnt want someone doing stuff to me who didnt know what they were doing!".

I didnt even respond to her because i did actually feel a bit mad at what she had said, not that she didnt want a student present because thats fine, its an individual choice but to say she didnt want someone "doing stuff to her" if they didnt know what they were doing. It got me thinking are some midwives in community especially explaining what student are actually there for? My friend obviously hadnt been told or she wouldnt have thought we would be "doing stuff" to her that we werent sure about.

Having been on community placement i have been there when women have been talking through their birthplans and when they have been asked if they would mind if a student was present if they said "no" then no more was said about it, surely an explanation as to what a student is there for would be beneficial? Reasuring them that we are there to learn and would be supervised by a qualified midwife.

Anyway, anyone have any thoughts on this?

XXXXXXXXXXX

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Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)

I believe there is a big misconception about the role of the student midwife. The word student conjours up incompetence, guinea pigs, practice, etc.

Most women are happy for students to be involved in their care when they hear that this means one-to-one support and a registered midwife overseeing everything.

It makes me sad when I hear comments like that. As you say, at the end of the day, everyone has a choice about whether or not to have a student present. However, women are all for informed choice about their care and this is an aspect of their care that they should be able to make an informed choice about.

KS x

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Kentish Spitfire
Moderator, Student Services
Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x


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"It's better to be thought a fool - rather than proved a fool!"

I do kind of get where she's coming from though. In fairness, whilst under close supervision of my qualified midwife - I still didn't really know what I was doing my first delivery particularly. As for ve's - they're horrid and having a baby student doing it (I don't know how long they carry on for?) just means having to have twice as many as the qualified midwife has to check them anyway. I'm also still a bit rubbish at taking blood - and a whole host of other things I'm sure that evade me now.

Filling you all with confidence about myself I'm sure - but surely I'm not the only one?!

I agree that perhaps the students role should be explained to mothers when they are asked if they mind a student being present. If the answer is no then obviously their wishes have to be respected.Thankfully from what i have heard most people don't mind..............It takes me back 18 yrs to when i had my fisrt child, i was so prudish and embarrassed that i had my male consultant changed to a female................3 kids later and endless amounts of smear tests i don't give a stuff who sees me now lol

I agree with KS the role of the student midwife should be properly explained, although I have never had a problem if a women did not want a student.

I do feel that women should be warned about the student doctors and their role, I have never seen it explained to a woman that even though she is under so and so consultant, and the SPR is "in charge" at her caesarean / ventouse / forceps delivery, its actually the SHO doing the proceedure for the first time!!

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I kind of see what you mean but we all have to learn and i think there is a time and a place for certain things. For example VE's, if the woman is really uncomfortable and in a lot of pain its probably not a good idea to "practice" on her (that sounds awful but i hope you know what i mean )whereas if a woman is feeling ok and comfortable it would probably be more appropriate to ask if it would be okay to practice your VE skills on her.

Like KS has said, its all about informing the women and letting them make their own decisions, my query was are women truly being informed as to the role of a student midwife.

XXXX

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Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)

I had the best student m/w when I was in labour with no 1.. So much so that with baby no. 2 I said yes to a medical student being present. However, when things got tough during transition, I could see out of the corner of my eye, the medical student fiddling with his watch strap for ages. I got v angry and asked him to leave - he just looked as if he couldn't care less being in there during my special time!

In our area, generally if the community midwife picks up a birth plan with no students on they explain - as I think they should! Even maybe put it in the parent prep classes if they have them...

I'm sure someone on here has said they asked for a student though - recognising that you in some ways might get better care - with the student having more time to spend...

I haven't had any probs with women not wanting me to help care for them during their labour, even the many who state no students on their birth plan. The community midwives really need to sort out this issue though as women do not appear to have any knowledge of exactly what students do and often percieve us to be a gang of many at the end of the bed staring at their bits.

When this is discussed (and when we are busy this is often noticed after some initial care is given) they are often more than happy and realise they get the benefit from students assisting with care as we are often able to spend more time with them.

We do all have to learn somewhere too.

With regards to VE'S etc.. this is discussed with the woman and some do refuse, that is their right, others are happy even if they know it may need to be done twice (we are often much gentler too!)

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