Interviews with Student Midwives

What year are you in?
I'm in my second year, but am March intake so due to finish in March 2010

Whats are your personal circumstances?
i.e. married/kids/single etc
I'm a (fairly) newlywed (07/07/07!) and have no kids at present, but that could all change as we're trying to start to a family.

What did you do before you became a student midwife?
I started out as a scientist (for the love of Biology) and last worked at the Council (for the money). I've done all sorts in between and picked up a lot of transferable skills on the way!

Why did you choose Midwifery?
I knew I wanted to come into healthcare, and initially applied for Medicine. I passed the GAMSAT test, but completely screwed up the interview. I went back to the drawing board to decide how badly I wanted it, and realised it wasn't that badly. One of my best friends had recently had a baby, another wa sa nurse, and my Mum was a midwife and nurse... all these factors started building up an idea and when I read into it I started to realise that my skill-set was pretty ideal!

How did you feel on your first day at uni and in practice?
Excited, petrified, invincible, unprepared - every emotion possible, basically!

Please share a highlight of being on the course, so far...
For me it's been when I receive praise from a woman I've looked after. It's not why I do it, but when a woman takes the time to say, 'thank you', I'm more sure than ever that I'm doing the right thing.

Please share a low point and how you got through that...
My 20th delivery. The woman suffered a 4th degree tear (my blog of the experience is here). I felt terrible, and responsible for what had happened... especially when experienced midwives were saying, "oh, I've never had a 4th degree..."

I went to theatre with the woman, and visited her on the postnatal ward afterwards. I came to realise that it wasn't my fault, and had good support from a lot of the staff (including the doctor who sutured her). I couldn't have done anything differently, but I know the warning signs for if it ever happens again!

Do you prefer academic or clinical?
I am a complete spod, but I'd much rather be practicing. Having said that, I already have a yen to write a paper!

What is your favourite midwifery text book?
I've found "Skills for Midwifery Practice" by Johnson and Taylor very useful.

What is your favourite midwifery literature book? i.e. babycatcher.
I haven't read a lot of them, but I did enjoy Babycatcher!

What is your shift preference? earlies/lates/long days and what time to they start and finish
I prefer a long day. I like to get my shifts over with, and if you're on Labour Suite you are more likely to be able to support a woman all the way through her birth experience. Our shifts are 07.00-19.30, 07.00-13.45 or 13.00-19.45 (I think, I'm never sure with the short shifts as we never finish on time!)

Are you a member of a midwifery organisation? i.e RCM/ARM/LLL
I'm a member of RCM only. We have a local ARM meeting but I haven't managed to go yet.

Do you feel supported in practice? if yes/no please tell us why that is.
I'm very fortunate, in that I do feel supported in practice. This is mainly because I have a good bond with my personal tutor, but also because I've learnt the hard way that if you have problems or issues you just need to speak up. I'll also speak up for other people, so be warned if you find yourself on placement with me!!!

I think the placement experience can be the most isolating, because many of us have the attitude that we mustn't grumble, and we just have to get on with it. I now feel that I owe it to those students to come after me to challenge bad practice and poor behaviour.

Do you feel supported at Uni? if yes/no please tell us why that is.
Definitely - and I've tested the system! I've had a relapse of depression and a medical problem while I've been studying and the academic team couldn't have been more helpful!

Do you prefer antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal? and why?
I'm an intrapartum girl. I love the excitement, the exhileration, the bonding experience of childbirth. It's a unique and special honour to be able to share that with a woman and her family.

What are your future plans as a midwife?
I'd like to work in my local hospital, but I'd like to do some research on Cultural Competence, and how we can improve the midwifery we offer to woman from minority or socially excluded groups.

Share your wisdom.... what would you like to pass on to other students/wanabes?
Never presume - always talk to your woman. And I loved the quote from Soo Downe; "the less we do, the more we give". I try to remember that when I'm tempted to go into blether mode!

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What year are you in?

My second year

Whats are your personal circumstances?
i.e. married/kids/single etc

Married with four children and two big dogs lol

What did you do before you became a student midwife?

Followed the paths my parents desired for me. Had a very good career but gave it up after having child No.2. Few jobs in between to make ends meet - cleaner, child minder and lastly did an Access Course to get the necessary qualifications

Why did you choose Midwifery?

After the birth of my first child (18 years ago)I knew I wanted to be a midwife, with all my heart. Circumstances at time prevented it but after my parents died I decided to follow my dream

How did you feel on your first day at uni and in practice?

First day at uni I was terrified that it was all a joke and I hadn't really been offered a place. It took me about six weeks to realise that I really had got a place.

My first day on placement I was so proud when I put my uniform on.


Please share a highlight of being on the course, so far...

The privilege of helping a woman to give birth ..... it brings a tear to my eye every time!!!!

Please share a low point and how you got through that...

I recently had a terrible mentor who didn't want a student. It was a terrible time and the thing that kept me going was knowing that I was chasing my dream and that when I qualify there is no way I will treat a student in the same way. I have to qualify to make sure that woman never treats another student the same way again.

Do you prefer academic or clinical?

I like both. I love being on placement - it's what we all want to do but I also love uni cos I get to have a lie in lol

What is your favourite midwifery text book?

Skills for Midwifery by Johnson & Taylor - it's invaluable

What is your favourite midwifery literature book? i.e. babycatcher.

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

What is your shift preference? earlies/lates/long days and what time to they start and finish

I like lates - 1.30-9 (My sleep thing again lol). Earlies are 7.30-2.30 and nights 8.30-7.45.

Are you a member of a midwifery organisation? i.e RCM/ARM/LLL

RCM

Do you feel supported in practice? if yes/no please tell us why that is.

Apart from my one bad experience, yes. All other midwives that I have had the pleasure of working with have been very supportive and genuinely want to help me learn.

Do you feel supported at Uni? if yes/no please tell us why that is.

Yes, the only time I have had a problem they were very helpful.

Do you prefer antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal? and why?

Ooooh this is a hard one. I love all areas of practice. If I really have to choose one it would have to be intrapartum as I said before I think it's a privilege.

What are your future plans as a midwife?

Ultimately I would like to be a community midwife but in an area where they have a birth centre that is staffed by community midwives. (Yes, I want to have my cake and eat it lol)

Share your wisdom.... what would you like to pass on to other students/wanabes?

Remember that you have to play to your audience. Get to know the likes and dislikes of the midwive you work with (how to set your trolley up, whether to deliver onto the stomach or onto the bed etc). That way, you know you won't disappoint them and when you have your debrief they won't say picky things!!

What year are you in?
Second
Whats are your personal circumstances?
i.e. married/kids/single etc
Married with three children
What did you do before you became a student midwife?
Chief,cleaner taxi driver. ie mother
Why did you choose Midwifery?
Love of childbirth and chance to improve the service provided
How did you feel on your first day at uni and in practice?
OVERWHELMED scared and excited!
Please share a highlight of being on the course, so far...
meeting new people
Please share a low point and how you got through that...
Shy person, not a job that allows you to be shy for long
Do you prefer academic or clinical?
clinical, have to admit I'm the type of person who can sleep ANYWHERE! (academic)
What is your favourite midwifery text book?
Mayse
What is your favourite midwifery literature book? i.e. babycatcher.
The light in the window
What is your shift preference? earlies/lates/long days and what time to they start and finish
Lates, nights, on delivery very busy 8pm-8am
Are you a member of a midwifery organisation? i.e RCM/ARM/LLL
INO
Do you feel supported in practice? if yes/no please tell us why that is.
NO you really fell on your own when your out there.
Do you feel supported at Uni? if yes/no please tell us why that is.
Yes we are a close net bunch
Do you prefer antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal? and why?
Intrapartum, I love the experence but not the medicalisation.
What are your future plans as a midwife?
I plan to travel and gain experience before setteling into a long term position
Share your wisdom.... what would you like to pass on to other students/wanabes? It is an incredible and privileging experence helping woman throughout their pregnancy,labour and new motherhood.

What year are you in?
Year 1, not sure if I qualify to answer these Q's but looks like fun!
Whats are your personal circumstances?
i.e. married/kids/single etc
Married, 3 little boys :-)

What did you do before you became a student midwife?
Busy Mum! Before that a variety of jobs none of which I really enjoyed.
Why did you choose Midwifery?
Arrrrr well I could talk about this untill the cows come home but to keep it simple, I wanted to do it since I was a little girl, having my boys fuled my ambition.

How did you feel on your first day at uni and in practice?
TERRIFIED!!! No other way to discribe it!

Please share a highlight of being on the course, so far...
So many highlights already its hard to choose, I suppose it would have to be assiting with the delivery of an IVF baby, the couple had been trying for 10 years we all cried when the baby was born.

Please share a low point and how you got through that...
Shamefully avoiding a community visit to a lady who had suffered an IUD I choose to stay on the ward that day. Felt really crappy about it but really didn't know how I could offer any sort of support with so little experience.

Do you prefer academic or clinical?
Clinical! I learn more through doing.

What is your favourite midwifery text book?
Oxford handbook.

What is your favourite midwifery literature book? i.e. babycatcher
Call the midwife


What is your shift preference? earlies/lates/long days and what time to they start and finish
Earlies, 7:30 - 3:30 and the clinic shift 8:30 - 4:30

Are you a member of a midwifery organisation? i.e RCM/ARM/LLL
RCM

Do you feel supported in practice? if yes/no please tell us why that is
Yes and no, sometimes I really feel like I'v been chucked in the deep end and left to sink or swim. I love working with the band 5's as they remember what its like to be a student and give you loads of support and encouragement.

Do you feel supported at Uni? if yes/no please tell us why that is.
Yes, very much so. Theres always someone about to help if you need it.

Do you prefer antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal? and why?
Its a tough choice between antenatal and intrapartum but I think antenatal wins it for me.

What are your future plans as a midwife?
I would love to sepicalise in teenage pregnancy or vunerable women.

Share your wisdom.... what would you like to pass on to other students/wanabes?
Absoultly keep smiling! And, as others have said to me when times are tough think of the high points it will keep you going. I have never felt so tried/stressed/emotional etc.... in my life but at the same time I am the happiest I have ever been, I know I'v made the right choice :-)

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Busy Mum to 3 beautiful little boys
First year student midwife!