US vs UK midwifery

Hey there

I’m British but currently living in NYC (am ½ American). I recently got “the call” to be a midwife. It just clicked a few months ago and then I spent the next 3 months trying not to do it because I know how hard a life choice this will be. (I studied Art & History at uni 8 years ago)

Anyway – I’m so glad I stumbled upon this site. Your questions, answers and general support are thoroughly encouraging. I’m currently reading “The Spiritual Midwife” – Ina May Gaskin, and “Paths to Midwifery” - Midwifery Today website. Both really good for the first wee steps on the path.

It seems that the US is a dinosaur compared to Europe – in terms of even acknowledging that midwifes exist or should exist. There is this huge battle between “direct entry” midwifery and “nurse-midwifery”, which seems to be a total waste of energy. Is it the same in the UK too? How is the midwifery community treated in the UK? Are there midwifes that work outside of the medical industry too? Is it also illegal to be a midwife not certified by a university or college? Do you get sued for malpractice in the UK too and need medical liability insurance?

I want to study in the UK because of the cost of education in the US and also because the medical institution and instance industry are so despicable, it’s a wonder any “health” happens at all over here! Are midwifes treated terribly in the UK too? Are you also up against idiot doctors and nurses that think you’re incompetent?

Sigh – ‘tis the beginning of the questions I know. Thanks for all and any help

Es

Bump x

Welcome Es! I'm in Australia, so don't know much about either the UK or US systems, although from what I've read I think we're a bit more like the UK (although funded homebirth is only in its infancy here with only a few states offering it). Ina May Gaskin is great, I'm reading her breastfeeding book right now...
The best of luck with your midwifery journey - be it in the US, or the UK!

hiya and welcome..!! as a recently returned expat, I would urge you to look into the funding issues of higher education, for the BSc Midwifery, first.
If you have lived outside of the UK for longer than 3 years then you would be subject to paying international fees for university education. Its not impossible to apply as an overseas student, but it might limit your choice of uni. This is regardless of British Citizenship. But as we all know...passionate studentmidwives to be....find a way..!!

X Uggboot

Wow - thank you all so much! Lots of info here. I had no idea i'm now considered international Sigh. Thanks for the heads up. The UK system feel much stronger - glad there is proper representation and availability. I feel like people in general, and women obviously, are looked after a lot better over there. Fantastic!

Es

i think that it doesnt matter how long you have been abroad, its more a case of needing to have lived in england for the 3 year leading up to the commencment of your training to be eligable for the bursary.

Wow, 3 years. Well, gives me time to do an access course and get some decent experience, since its so competitive to get in anyway. Cheers for the update.

Hi Esther! Loads of great advice here, can't really add much to what these lovely ladies have told you. Only that if you train in the UK you may find you can't work in the US, whereas if you train in the US you should be able to work in both places. As far as I'm aware, the US is one of the only countries that doesn't accept our qualification. So that might be worth looking into if you want to practise in the US in the future.

Good luck on your journey!