Sooo, spot on. Just how I feel! Are you me? Do we all feel this way?
I want to be that too, let's hope it is possible.

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Doctor phobia rings true for me too!

However my phobia relates only to the female of the species. Especially the stroppy SHO's who speak to the midwives like they're illiterate serfs.

I would much rather work with a male ob anyday, they're generally better-mannered and work harder. The females I've come across make Cruella De Ville look like a pussy cat. What is worse they seem to think that behaving badly ups thier credibility. Maybe it's the nature of the job, but their heads are twice the size of Gordon Ramseys ********.

Feel free to disagree...


AtTheDesk xxx

haha that made me lol, we have 2 women consultants and they are lovely , its some of the SHO's I could do this to

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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)

HAHA Good one! I feel the same with some of our SHO's.
I think being older does have a bit of an advantage in placement because, and I can only speak for myself, but older students seem to have a little more confidence. Our consultants / registrars are very approachable and ask for all opinions including the students.

I do agree that being older is a bit of a disadvantage in the classroom tho.

I was only 18 when i started (now 19) and felt for a long time that age was a big issue, it's something i am slowly learning to deal with however!

I do feel slightly 'mothered' on placement though, as both of my mentors have had children the same age as me!! I do feel they struggle with that sometimes, and struggle to treat me as an adult.

Sometimes i feel like i have so much more to prove than some of the older ones, as they already seem to have such a firm grip on life and themselves, whereas i'm just learning about who i am. I struggle speaking out in lectures and with sticking up for myself, but i know that will come in time.

I know that i have found something special in midwifery, and i have big dreams for the future. Nothing has ever made me feel so incredible as having my first catch or watching my first birth, and in that sense, i don't think my age matters so much.

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Women are like tea bags- they don't know how strong they are till they're in hot water!
"Don't wonder why people go crazy, wonder how they don't......"

I think its more about maturity and ones outlook rather than age as a number. I will be 29 (almost 30!) when I start in 2009, which is the right time for me. Had I applied straight from school/6th form I dont think I could have handled the responsibility and I dont think I would have been assertive enough to talk with doctors etc and be an advocate for women when they needed me most.
Now, however, I have those qualities - certainly the last couple of years has been my biggest period of personal growth, having had a child and become a lone parent recently. You have to grow up, lol!

Saying all this, I had a fantastic student midwife - Lucy - during my delivery. I dont know how old she was and TBH it never occured to me to ask or even assume, she was calm, professional, and made me feel confident in her abilities. That's what was important to me.


A x

And actually great age can work against you too. When I started lots of people seem to assume that I knew what i was doing and were suprised when I told them I was a first year. Even now when I'm wearing scrubbs it is often assumed that I am qualifed! This can be embarrassing when a consultant asks you for some random piece of equipment you have never heard of!

yeah haha i had that once- a third year med student came up to me and started introducing herself, saying how she was looking forward to doing her obs theatre placement- and i just had to go "AGHHHH! FIRST YEAR STUDENT MIDWIFE!!!"
ha she looked quite embarrassed......

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Women are like tea bags- they don't know how strong they are till they're in hot water!
"Don't wonder why people go crazy, wonder how they don't......"

do you know what i think if it you wernt for all you lot i think most mums would be giving birth on their own then theyd have something to moan about. girls i wouldnt leave this bother you, you have got to start somewhere if this is the job you want doesnt matter how old you are go for it & good luck xxxxxxxxxx

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Starting Access To HE Health Studies 16/09/08
Applying To Swansea Uni for 2009

In what way is everyone scared of talking to the doctors? Will they question you on what you know? Or is it because they are doctors and seen as the elite?