I have recently returned home from a great holiday abroad. It was the first time I'd flown for a good number of years.

During the return journey of 4 hours, with very little to do to pass the time, I couldn't help but notice the conduct of one of the Air Hostesses.

She was attentive to peoples needs, had the obligitory smile and carried out her duties without a problem.

However, when not actively carrying out her duties her conduct did surprise me. - During the flight I noticed her doing her makeup, adjusting her clothing and sorting through her handbag. Whilst giving out meals she was constantly chatting with the other hostess, (social chit-chat). Finally, on several occasions she was pre-occupied with fitting things into the over-head luggage storage compartments and whilst doing so threw bags to the floor and slammed shut the doors. - All of this was not exactly what I had expected from an Air Hostess.

I found myself thinking about how people view me, as a Midwife, when I am caring for them. Especially when I am caring for a woman in labour. We can be in the same room as that woman for a good length of time.

Women in established labour are obviously going to be focussing on themselves, so I doubt if they are aware of the midwife's every move. But what of the women who have an epidural? Or the partners who are just sitting there, watching the clock tick? I have no doubt that they are watching the midwife and her actions, the whole time.....!

Is my conduct professional, at all times? Even when I'm not actively involved in the care of a woman...?

- I hope I can answer "yes" to this. But, it makes you think, doesn't it....?!

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What an interesting post Shoshana,

This is something I have actually wondered about, as a student I sometimes find myself feeling like a 'spare part' in the room when I have done the obs that are necessary and am not really sure what else if anything I can and should be doing. Other than make general chit chat with the woman and her partner I am often lost as to how to fill the time constructively until my mentor returns from whatever she has doing or wherever she has been.

Do you have any advice you can give on this please?

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

I like nothing better than to sit on a stool, in the corner of the room and just be.

Don't feel the need to make conversation. When women are in established labour it is important not to overstimulate them mentally. They should be left just to get on with it and to "go into themselves". You can read through the notes, if you feel the need to "do" something.

Dory has written a great blog entry on just this.

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After reading alot about this, I do try to do just that!

your OP is brilliant, as we should all be thinking about these things as it is easy to get complacent I am sure

One such thing was last week, following a birth my mentor left the room, whilst I was trying to get a stubborn placenta to come. I t felt tight in theri IYKWIM so in the end left it be and tidied up the room quietly giving the new family time to have a cuddle and enjoy the moment where I so often feel they should be alone. They were interrupted however, by the hollaring up the corridor 'erm....we still have placenta in here!'

oh well, it's usually me who screws things up so! thankfully, the placenta was delivered with maternal effort, so brill! (I hate CCT)

Iwill keep this in mind, Shoshana and hope I am always kind and courteous

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That as always is good advice, thanks I will remember that when I go back in a couple of weeks.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

What about when you're not in work though, do you think it's still important to act in a kind and courteous manner always?

I ask because I just went outside an hour or so ago when my neighbour happened to be in her garden and she was incredibly annoyed (this woman is the most pleasant and laid back person you ever hope to meet. I think it is the only time in over two years of living here that I have ever seen her annoyed) because she was walking through the close opposite us and banged her shoulder (she has a rather nasty looking bruise too) on the gates of the house across the road from us, because they are always left wide open right over the pavement so she pushed them shut slightly and was then beeped by the daughter who lives there who had just pulled up in her car, she (the girl) then rolled down her window and shouted rudely, "open them back up!" When telling me this, my neighbour added "and she's going to be a midwife! I wouldn't let her deliver any of my children!"

As I'm writing this I recall a conversation with my other neighbour, an elderly gentleman, when I told him I was going to be a midwife he said that the girl across the road was studying midwifery, and then added, "I was really surprised mind, the way she acts and talks to people I never thought she was the type."

I have never once seen her so I can't comment on what she's like but it makes me think that does choosing a career such as midwifery mean that you should be held to higher standards generally? Of course, as my neighbour said tonight, manners cost nothing and I think it's important to be courteous to everyone anyway but does being a midwife mean it's even more expected of you?

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Student Midwife!!
Moderator
SMNet University Student Representative
Throughout the ages, the rainbow has been the symbol of hope, a promise of better things to come. The ancient Greeks personified the rainbow as the goddess Iris, the favourite handmaiden and messenger of Hera, the queen of the heavenly court of Olympus. Carried by her shimmering wings, Iris travels so swiftly that mortals can see only the trail of her rainbow-coloured passage across the sky.

I think you make a valid point, Rachael. As midwives we are expected to act differently, a known midwife or even student midwife could not act the same as previously i.e rowdy behaviour, drinking in excess etc

professionalism, it makes us change as people, so we cannot act the same way.

I know when in my uniform I am different somehow, not in a superior way at all, just working and have some sort of identity, I much prefer unifrom to scrubs as people think then I am a midwife, and I am always quick to say 'er...no!'

Aww, I am pants at explaining what I mean.....

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I am sure that the potential to be a "professional" is something that should be looked for at interview.

Obviously I do know an awful lot more about my subject than before I trained as a midwife, but I believe the essence of who I am is still the same.

So, if the person training to be a midwife does not have that potential within them to be a professional, (such as the person mentioned above) then it will be an uphill struggle for them to change their attitudes and demeanor.

- I don't know if that makes sense to others, or not?

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it does to me Shoshana

far better than my pathetic attempt!

that's more what I meant, yup

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Perfect sense. Although I do think it is hard to judge that at an interview, it's easy for people to show their best behaviour for a fairly short time. Having said that, I would hate to have to interview potential SM's and have to decide who gets in based on the very small snapshot of a person that they get to see. No matter how structured the interview or how well trained you are to judge people's potential, it's a tough job and I'm glad I don't have to do it!

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Student Midwife!!
Moderator
SMNet University Student Representative
Throughout the ages, the rainbow has been the symbol of hope, a promise of better things to come. The ancient Greeks personified the rainbow as the goddess Iris, the favourite handmaiden and messenger of Hera, the queen of the heavenly court of Olympus. Carried by her shimmering wings, Iris travels so swiftly that mortals can see only the trail of her rainbow-coloured passage across the sky.