I am sat here thinking about my first shift on delivery suite later, and I got to wondering if bringing a new life into the world ever becomes just routine?

I can't imagine how it ever can, and to me if you feel that way about it then maybe you shoudn't be doing it anymore. but maybe I am still wearing my rose coloured glasses and the reality will hit me at some point. I really hope not, cos I can't think of a job that has so many privilages, I know it doesn't always have a happy outcome, but to me even then you have the privilage of making a difference for the family.

I would be interested to know what others think about this, maybe the RM's will bring me down to earth a bit with the realities of the job, I don't know....but I hope not lol.

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Bless you Mum & Dad x
Student Midwife 2007

Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

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Never has for me and I cant wait to get back into practice

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Josie
StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director



MidwiferyWorld.NET our sister site for Senior Students and Midwives is now live, tell your mentors and tutors!

So pleased to hear that Josie, I bet you can't wait, you counting the days yet?

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Bless you Mum & Dad x
Student Midwife 2007

Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

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There are certainly people practising who act that way!

I certainly don't and would quit if I ever did!

There are though aspects of placement I hate, as I am desperate to be a community midwife. I hate the fact that interventions are so commonplace and the demoralising tone so often taken towards women. Also the lack of dignity with which some are treated, it gets me down and for those and loads of other reasons, I learn from them, but dislike being there.

Many midwives act as if they hate the job, and that bothers me. Many spend alot of time gossiping in the back room, though i understand they need this time, many do not care for women at all, only going into delivery rooms to VE, or check the babysitter that is the CTG, etc.

I see these things and take what things i think are good and also take from it those I would never, ever want to do.

I hope that opinion doesn't change, or I 'll go and work in a supermarket

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I haven't found that it becomes routine, P, as every situtation, every woman, every family, every labour are different. You could walk into two shifts and be given women whose clinical pictures are identical, but the outcomes, their experiences will be completely different. Good luck for your shift!

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Love Dory xxx
Just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin'....

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I can't believe this post, I was musing earlier about starting my midwifery training and I thought to myself at the end of it I am going to be paid to do such an amazing job!!! It's like an honour to be there in the first place, forget being paid (ok I know reality check)

I can understand how work does get boring, but still come on!!!! I have worked some awful jobs, then talk to me about midwifery being in the same boat.....Maybe they are all spoilt, and need a dose of how lucky they are and how many other women would bite their hands off to do what they do....

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Carly
CCCU - Chatham Campus September 2008

Nope... One midwife said to me that if every there was a student that said they didn't get nervous and butterfly's in there stomach on the walk up to delivery suite before every shifts then they shouldn't be doing it!

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Duel X
2nd year student midwife
SM.NET Stafford University Representative
Moderator

It's not looking after women and their families that becomes routine (it doesn't get better than being involved in the miracle of birth), it's the flipping political scene in each hospital that is routine - our job is to detatch ourselves from that routine to give each women an individual experience.
KS x

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Kentish Spitfire
Moderator, Student Services
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"It's better to be thought a fool - rather than proved a fool!"

Excellent way of wording it, but yes to some it seems like a routine, others tell me they hate (I'm not exagerrating) working on labour ward (they are really frightened) this is awful awful, I'm not sure if its the current retention and recruitment crisis i.e. lack of staff what makes them scared but this is exactly the mindset we must move away from, these midwives should have more support and/or training as if they are frightened how on earth does that affect the poor woman.
That said I have worked with excellent midwives who are marvellou and confident in all areas of practice and will push boundaries to advocate for a normal birth for women, they never give up, and vehemently argue, it is what a woman deserves, which is refreshing and very touching x

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