I was having a discussion with colleagues the other day about what it means to be a midwife. The conversation was around whether we thought we should behave any differently because we are midwives. Should we be seen to be upstanding and of good moral characture or is it okay to let our hair down and roll out of the occasional pub a bit worse for the demon drink?
If I wanted to work as an escort on my days off is that okay?

When I was a student nurse in the very early 1980's, a tutor once told our class that we shouldn't go on 'dangerous' holidays such as skiing or caving as we might get seriously injured and be unable to work and this constituted dereliction of duty, leaving patients at risk through short staff.

Is it right that we give up some personal freedoms for the priviledge of being a midwife? What behaviours do we consider inppropriate?
I'm interested if the thoughts of midwives, student midwives and lay people differ in any way

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Laugh in the face of the devil Eat Chocolate

I was talking about this with my OH. I think as long as we are morally right (if that makes sense) and stay on the legal side of things I don't think it really matters what we do in our personal life.

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What an interesting post nappysack,

I personally feel I wouldn't want to do something say on a night out, that I would be really embarrassed about the following day. Such as get so drunk I had no idea what I was doing.

But, I do feel that with regards to things like holidays etc, it should be down to personal choice. We might be midwives, student midwives etc, but we are still human beings at the end of the day.

I guess what I am trying to say is, as long as we don't disgrace ourselves or the profession with what we are doing, then to me it is ok. But others might disagree with me.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

This is true but what we individually think constitues disgraceful behaviour differs doesn't it?
Where on person might think it's morally okay to 'party on down' with a few glasses of bubbly your client who is a member of a church that holds alcohol in contempt may very well disagree. She may see you as corrupt and immoral. The thing is should we attempt to live up to the expectations placed upon us or not?

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Laugh in the face of the devil Eat Chocolate

Thats what this ...

URGENT midwives are being disciplined for online activities - dont be one of them!

...is all about.

Id like to see some guidance from the NMC of examples of what constitutes NOT upholding the reputation of the profession, Id imagine being an escort in your days off would be one of them..... years ago it was seen as improper for midwives to have their own families and still work (mind you it was ilke that for alot of women but it seemed to linger in midwifery longer in my view)... maybe this is all the same kind of thing, being 'proper' and midwifery...

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StudentMidwife.NET Founder

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Yes, I understand what you mean, I think though it is a case of you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please them all, all of the time.

There are always going to be people who feel that the way a certain person behaves is wrong, and in my humble opinion, as long as you are upholding the law, and not disgracing yourself by say falling out of a pub really worse for wear, then we should be able to make our own judgements as to what we do and don't do?

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

I would like to make it VERY VERY CLEAR that I AM NOT an escort on my days off too old and ugly for one thing - i was just using it as an example.

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Laugh in the face of the devil Eat Chocolate

Hahahaha.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

I don't believe you! The midwife doth protest too much!

Seriously though, no matter what other opinions are (of the public perceptions of immoral behaviour I mean) we will never be able to be model citizens all of the time, so as you say (fab topic btw) some people may believe that drink is fundamentally is wrong (and though I love the odd drink, I believe this too as it wrecks lives but still seems to be socially acceptable and makes the government millions of pounds per year too) However those who like to go out for a few fair do's IMHO as we all need to relax and that is one very popular way of doing it!

I dunno really what I am trying to say (essay frazzle, what's my word count so far?!) but I guess it's that we all know whether what we do for fun or outside of midwifery is wrong or not really, then there's the inevitable grey area and that's prob were most of us usual human's lie!

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I believe in the freedom to be who you are, whether thats sexuality, gender preference, how you like your eggs, whether you like your men like your tea, having pink hair, lots of tattoos, few bevvies down the pub with your pals on a Friday night etc but when you are representing your profession - these things are of course a part of who you - but some are and some arent appropriate to make your clients and colleagues aware of.... I see it like if I went to a policeman for help and he told me he was hungover and showed me his mobile pics of him and his mates getting wrecked then that would make me feel like he wasnt doing his protect and serve bit. It would be unprofessional. If I was out and he was out and he was in a right state then I probably would think 'hes letting his hair down' others may feel that he should not behave in this way a role model, or 'responsible citizen'.

If this was commonplace and the news and net was full of images and stories like that then the police force would begin to loose credibility. I believe its the same for midwifery. Theres alot of respect and trust in our jobs and I for one wouldnt feel comfortable with any images of me on the net if I were worse for wear (chance would be a fine thing...) as I would feel people would be making decisions about me based on the images.

Its in this decision making process where judgements are made and reputations are secured or become flawed. On a larger scale this can affect professions. It involves expectations, stereotypes, preconcieved ideas of how model citizens behave and what is responsible behaviour and what isnt.

As usual these things are all about balance.

A part of me says 'Stuff it! when students arent at work/uni then let them be students!' but in reality we have the reputation of the profession about us to consider. We chose this career so we should abide by the standards set for us. However, I would like some examples of whats considered inappropriate in your 'down time'... like NS says we will all have different ideas....

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StudentMidwife.NET Founder

"You're braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. And smarter than you think."
Christopher Robin in Pooh's Grand Adventure

Fancy yourself as a bit of a writer? Want to contribute midwifery or SM2B articles to SMNET? If so, PM me with your thoughts/articles