Quite often in practice and at uni I hear young student midwives raise concerns that they are 'too young' and feel that older students are better recieved by the women.

What do you think?

I havent found that in my practice experience but then Im older so maybe I wouldnt.

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J
StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director

"You're braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. And smarter than you think."
Christopher Robin in Pooh's Grand Adventure

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I havent been on placement yet but as i am 22 i dont know why but i feel that i wont get on with my mentor as well as the older students, i think this has something to do with being at school and not daring to question the teacher and things like that, i cant really explain it and im sure its not the case its just the way i feel. I dont really have any issues about how the women will react with me,its just my mentor and the other midwives ill be working with that im worried about!
XXXX

I'm 21 and applying to start training in 2008, so I'll be 22 then. Unfortunately I only look about 17 now, so I reckon it'll be assumed all round that I'm straight out of school. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing yet!

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I'm 19 now, was 18 when I started.. I have only ever had one comment that 18 is to young to start midwifery which I just shrugged off..
I don't act like a teenager though so it usually gets presumed i'm older!

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Duel X
3rd year student midwife
SM.NET Stafford University Representative
Moderator

Morning Tiff

I have heard that too, and even as a older student I sometimes feel I cant say either but thats cos of my 'student' status rather than my age so maye thats a common thread......... Also Ive heard the younger students say that they are 'mothered' a bit by their mentors who say things like 'Ive got a daughter the same age as you'... but then tbh having someone mother you in practice isnt always a bad thing particularly in the tough times...... my mentor buys me lunch someties like my mum would and its such a sweet gesture making sure Im fed....

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J
StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director

"You're braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. And smarter than you think."
Christopher Robin in Pooh's Grand Adventure

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

I think because you are older ( I am 38) some women might look at you and think that you have life experience and have `been here done that`. I`m not saying it is right. I have worked with some tremendous young midwives as my mentors

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Gillian

Third Year Student Midwife

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I don't know about age, per se. But perhaps it's because younger students tend to not have children, and, certainly in my cohort, that has been the route of a bit of quite a bit of insecurity.

I have to say i am glad that i have had a child, only because my Mentors seemed to quietly sigh when they find out i have had no nurse training, so if i had the double wammy of not having had a child too, i'd feel even more conspicious!

But saying that, IMHO becoming a great MW is more about having a the personality/caring/communication skills -something that won't fundamentally change nevermind which side you are of well functioning pelvic floor muscles!!

The only problems that I have with being younger (even though I'm 25, is that still young? Apparently I have a young face tho) is that women always ask me the dreaded question 'Have you got children?', to which I painfully reply 'no', knowing that inside they are screaming blue murder at me 'well, don't tell me you'll be ok when you haven't got kids of your own' (not that I ever say 'you'll be ok' in an offhand way or anything).

The second thing is that I am absolutely terrified of having to speak to the doctors. Or is this a student-midwife-wide problem, and not just from being a bit younger? I hate it, hate it, hate it, hate it! Although I am getting better. But I just feel like hiding in the storage cupboard whenever one comes nearby. It's soooo not the right job to be in if you're doctorphobic, is it! By the way, speaking of hiding in the storage cupboard, I find the early episodes of scrubs were great to watch early on in the course, cos what those young medical students are going through is sooooooo what it felt like the first time you step on the wards. Anyone else agree?

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3rd year Student Midwife

MadwifeMcCann - i feel exactly the same. About Consultants and such like. I've not had the pleasure of it yet, but my placements on the wards are already filling me full of dread for this reason as i know there are a few difficult personalities about. Some of my cohort have been subjected Doctors already and it's not been a productive, confidence-building experience from what they say. eeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEKKKKK!!!!!!!! ::::runs off and finds a cupboard to hide in too:::::