Hi all students!

I was just wondering how woman generally reacted to you.

By that I mean, do you ever have woman who decline your care, or request to not have you present?

Personally I have a fear of needles and would have declined having blood taken by a student (no offense of course meant by this!) but only felt comfortable with my experienced midwife. My midwife did have a student for my ante-natal appointments but she only did urine/BP/palpated and I didn't have a problem with this. However, I actually wanted to be cared for in labour by a student (for selfish reasons actually, as I guess students have more one to one time with you) anyway it wasn't to be as my midwife didn't have a student.

So I was just curious how woman are with you in your experience?

Thanks

Natalie

__________________
Applying for September 2009 intake at West of Scotland Uni

In my experince so far, I have never had a woman refuse my care, I did have one lady who asked to 'speak to the midwife' and refused to discuss her problem with me, or let me help. But that is the only issue I have had.

__________________
Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

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

That's good to know MM, it's something I'd be nervous about - that people will just refuse my care.

thanks

__________________
Applying for September 2009 intake at West of Scotland Uni

Most women in my experience are only too happy to help you learn . So I wouldn't worry about it.

__________________
Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

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

Astonishingly there are many women (in my own experience) who put that they would not like students at their labours as they have a belief that it is like with medical students (so ten or so around the bed) Only yesterday, I took over the care of a lady whilst my mentor was on her break, after introducing myself, I left her to eat her lunch in peace and said I 'd be back in a few minutes to listen in and do some obs.

I read through her notes and saw she had stated NO STUDENTS in capitals in her birth plan, so immediately I went back and asked her what she thought and whether she was happy for me to carry on, she was very happy and stated she thought it would lots of medical students looking at her bits (this seems to be the normal image of students in clinical areas, and is the reason why most women state they do not want them present, I do not understand why they are not discussed with their community midwives??)

I have only once been refused involvement with care, during a community antenatal clinic, she had personal things to discuss and that was her choice.

I would never have let a student take my blood before this course as I am not the best with it (not phobic, but cannot watch, well couldn't) when going to get my bloods taken to get into uni, I went in and was greeted by a nurse and her student, she looked as terrified as I knew I would very soon, so was happy to let her take my blood, and as have really bad veins too, she did a brill job, so I 'd never not let a stude do anything now

__________________

I have only had one woman refuse me and that was on a community placement and this woman had a lot of issues surrounding her. I didnt see it as a problem as i have heard from mentors that woman also refuse certain midwives if they have met them before and dont like them.

I must admit when i started the course i was a bit concerned as i had had a bad experience with a student midwife at one of my childrens births and had refused students at the other births i had. But i was surprised how many woman say they want a student as they get more one to one care.

Iv never been in a position where a women has objected to me being present or taking part in anything to do with their care.

When on D/S i think some of the women did prefer a student with them because like you mentioned you do get more one to one care.

I think most women do appreciate that as student we need to learn and to be able to learn we do have to do practical things, my mentor on D/S always explained this to the women and they seemed happy for me to "practice" things on them.

XXXX

__________________

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)

Personally, I haven't had any women refuse to allow me to care for them. I do wonder though if some feel mean to refuse us though... Like afraid to offend us by actually saying "no, i'd rather not have her here".

I did have a woman who seemed a little apprehensive a couple of weeks ago.
The midwife I was working with did a vaginal examination, then asked the woman if it would be ok for me to do one, so I knew what she was talking about.

The woman looked very apprehensive, but agreed, so i asked her if she was absolutely sure it was ok and told her i wouldn't be offended if she didn't want me to. She then said it was ok for me to do it, and I reassured her i'd be a lot more gentle than the M/W who'd done it!

I do agree though that women think they're going to have a room full of students looking at their privates and making notes.

When on community and going through birth plan options I used to tell the women that they may like a student as the student gets to stay with them all throughout and if they're a little apprehensive they can ask for a 2nd or third year student and no-one will be offended.

__________________
Student die Hebamme und ich liebe es!
(Student Midwife and I love it!)

I have only had one woman refuse to have a student present, it was on delievery suite. And she did mean a student midiwfe. She had dyspraxia and some other learning difficulties, and as my son has the same condition I know there is a 'fear' of new people, so I completely understood her reasons.

__________________
Catches: 2 assisted.

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/michelle-susie

I have never been refused to assist in the care of women either. As others have said most women like the fact that they're helping you learn. Many women have also shown great interest in how my course is going etc which I think is really nice

I know the day will come when a woman or her partner does not want me there but it's there choice and I totally understand.

__________________
If babies needed hands to guide them out,
wouldn't women be born with an extra pair
attached to their inner thighs?