Do you feel able to challenge?

I am just wondering if others feel able to challenge the decisons made by their mentors or midwives they work with?

Would you feel out of your depth doing so, or quite happy to challenge them about a decision they had made about a woman's care?

I haven't felt the need to do this yet, but just wondered what everyone thought about it?

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

There is a difference between challenging and asking for rationale for someone's actions. I see nothing wrong even as a virgin student on placement asking questions about what is happening, why it is happening and how it could be treated differently in another situation. I think reflection on practise is needed, if you don't ask, you'll never know.... of course you could always demand references... ... No? Chicken!!!!

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I do ask lots of questions Noo, I was meaning asking why they did X, and not Y if Y would have been a better option. Challenging their decison rather than questioning them. If that even makes sense?

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

I think I see where you are both coming from.

Personally, out of respect for my mentor, i wouldnt challenge them in front of a client (what do u call your mums to be btw? - I hate patient but client makes them sound like a business customer) but i see nothing wrong with asking later "during this consultation with client, you said X, why is that? could we not have done Y? what are the implciations of that/reasons for not doing Y?"

I would never challenge my mentor or midwife in front of anyone, be it client...as we refer to them, or another midwife, that would be just rude and demeaning for her.

That is exactly what I was trying to say ukcyberchick, only you said it so much better than I did, thank you lol.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

Yes I have done, but as you say, I have done so afterwards, but there again on a couple of occasions, when I really didn't think something was appropriate for example: woman (primip) I was looking after had been in labour some time, some outward signs were there, and instincts that she was coming up to fully, she began spontaneous pushing, I had only examined her 2 hours before and she was 9cm then the head was low, so I suspected she was. After she had been on and off spontaneously pushing, which I encouraged her to push when she felt the urge etc.. to go with the flow of her body, my mentor asked me to examine her, to ensure she was 10cm, I refused it went on and on, after another hour my mentor got the reg in to do it instead, there had been descent and the vertex was visible at times, and the reg said its OP, get me the instrumental trolley. I was really disappointed and said so, needless to say, she heard the words instrumental and got this renewed strength, they gave her an Episiotomy (oh) as the FH started to decelerate a little and was longer to recover, and she delivered. Lots of caput and moulding, turned out it was OA as I suspected and just a hooj baby fpor such a tiny framed woman, thus the need to VE was not necessary as I'd pointed out!!!!
I've also said to a doctor infront of women, when they are about to examine a woman on del' who is query SRM? and Prem labour, "Do you want to wash your hands whilst I open a pack for you?" This is always a good one.

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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)

Anyone else have a view?

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