I'm surprised at the poll, great idea Shoshana, I thought we were unusual in our unit to, all the other Trusts that are associated with our uni have 2 in for delivery to ddo paperwork, auscultate etc..
Whereas we are lonesome, other students state it is dangerous practice etc..
I think it is better because as you said LE the cord is left pulsating as the midwife has only 2 hands after all, so things at delivery are not as rushed (in the majority of time that is) so gives babe better transition to extrauterine life, and mums uterus and natural hormones a chance to kick in.

__________________


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)

I really should learn to read the op before I vote! I voted 2 midwives, however more and more often I find that I am the second if all is well.

Edited again! smwife and I are at the same trust! I does depend on the mentor you are working with as well. The main mentor that I had until recently liked to have a second present!

__________________
><>

But, if the midwife couldn't call upon a student, would she normally call another qualified midwife into the room?

__________________

No she is totally alone, is that not what you meant? There is never 2 in at delivery, we'd have no-one in the other rooms otherwise (and we're not a hugely busy unit)

__________________


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)

Sorry tracy, I was responding to Canu Gess's post.

__________________

At my trust there is the midwife present, and the student if applicable, and as the head is starting to crown another midwife or hca is called to 'receive' the baby.

__________________
I'm in, thanks & bless you Mum & Dad x
Student Midwife 2007

Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

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)

I really do think that it is the personal preference of the midwife. I suspect as a newly qualified I will be encouraged to have a 2nd present. Not all midwives do though. So it can't be policy iyswim. The main mentor that I had for the first 18 months liked to have a second midwife and would buzz for one, after a while I became her second. The last mentor that I worked with said she didn't normally call for a second unless she was anticipating a problem.

__________________
><>

I have seen different midwives doing things many of the older midwives i have worked with do not call a second but maybe that goes down to experience. Some of the more confident new ones do not call either.

If i am delivering then none of my mentors call a second as there are 2 of us in the room. And there is always a bell.

Also if it is abusy unit and you ahve 4 midwives on duty and you have 4-5 women in labour then they may not be able to come to your assistance anyway.

hi i had one midwife and a student in labour with my second child and i found that fantastic, until the baby became distressed then every tom dick and harry was in the room. at one point i think there were 7 of us in the room, a midwife, the student, my partner, a doctor and his reg, the kiddie doc (sorry cant spell) oh and then me.

Yes, I think it surprises a lot of parents how everyone will descend on a room, when the emergency buzzer goes off. - It's like a well-oiled machine jumping into action.

__________________