Student midwives: yes or no?

[Nanc]

I was wondering how people feel about having student midwives at the birth? I know I may not care at the time, and it may seem stupid, but right now i feel uncomfortable at the thought of lots of people being in the delivery room. If I could I would shut myself in my bedroom and give birth on my own! I really want as much privacy as possible to retain as much dignity as possible!

I am also worried about inexperienced individuals doing procedures and maybe getting things wrong. I am hoping for just me, my OH and one midwife there. I know students have to learn somehow but also believe that The most important thing is that I am comfortable with everyone there.

What does everyone else think?

 

[wishuponastar]

I've got a student midwife following me throughout my pregnancy, she's been there since my booking in appointment and scans and will be there when I go into labour. I don't mind at all because I've got to know her a bit and she's lovely, plus I think the more well trained and nice midwives the better! However, if it was a total stranger in the delivery room then I might have some reservations.

xx

 

[cosmicgirl]

I think you should keep an open mind with all things labour related and only do what you are completely comfortable with. As a student I was always honoured when patients allowed me to examine them or their child but completely understood when people declined, and was always completely supervised until qualified xx

 

[tinytoes]

I had one in the room for a while during the last one , she mostly just talked me through breathing and watched procedures . she actually brought me drinks and ice too and broke my waters (under supervision) , I think she was there while I was pushing for a while too but she was sort of in the back and I didnt really notice her . I wasn't bothered by her at all .

 

[mumofmany]

i had a student midwife give me internal swabs when i was pregnant with my 4th, i needed to have 2 a week to check for infection as my waters broke at 22 weeks, anyway she was alot more gentle than the fully qualified midwives and since then i have always prefferred the students, also they explain alot more to you aswell i noticed, so i must admit i would have no objection to a student.

 

[FebMum2Be]

I didn't have a student midwife at the birth, but I had lots in with me during my scans, and at the end where I was being seen weekly by a consultant.. I think it's great that they are able to learn by seeing and experiencing the things right in front of them, I'm the type of person who learns well when I'm doing things hands on rather than listening iykwim? If a student MW had of been there when I was in labour I would have let them in, they are supervised and wouldn't do anything they weren't told to.. There's only one way to learn xx

 

[Nanc]

Thanks All, it's really good to get different points of view. I wonder how much medical staff try to stick to your birth plan.

 

[ShadowWolf]

I had a student MW examine me whilst I was in labour and she was so gentle, the MW supervising her was a very large matronly woman who had obviously been doing the job for years and although she was lovely she was very scary and a bit rough, lol.

My labour went all tits up and by the end there was about 3 MWs, 3 students, 2 doctors and an anisthatist in my room, plus me, the OH and the baby and all the equipment! And this was just in a normal labour suite! I had nooooo dignity left by the end. But then by the end, I didn't care at all as I had a gorgeous little bundle to occupy me

xxx

 

[NatEvz]

I have no objection to students whatsoever, having been a student nurse myself. Ive been examined by a student under supervision twice through my pregnancy, and although she did fail epically at taking my blood last week, which she was so apologetic for im all for them learning when and where they can. I have no objection to them being there when i deliver either. But each to their own hun. If you dont feel comfortable, its your right to refuse xxx

 

[ZMD]

I had a student in for the last 3 hours of my labour and she was so much nicer than the actuall Midwife! she delivered Tegan under supervision of the other Midwife. Tegan was the 10th baby she had delivered x

 

[tinytoes]

As you say yourself its important to feel comfortable with who is in the room with you , but Now I may be wrong , you say you are hoping for you OH and one other MW , I though there had to be two at the end ? Now again I may be wrong as I had several people in the room as it was complicated . To be perfectly honest the only people I notices at that point or remember are my OH and the MW whop had been helping me the whole labour .

 

[midnight]

dont you have 2 midwives anyway????

on my ds i had a training dr in with me as he had never seen a normal delivery only 1s that had complications so i dont mind at all they all have to learn some how and if everyone didnt want 1 in with them then eventually there would be no midwives to help in the future your level of care will be no less you will still have a fully qualified midwife with and bear in mind your midwife wont be with you all the time if its busy on when it comes to the end stages will you have 1 with you all the time

 

[Lou_1]

I agree they have to learn and would happily allow them in to help if im asked. Think by the time my son actually came out i had around 6 ppl in the room and i couldnt even tell u who was doctors or MWs lol x

 

[Mrs.s]

I was asked this question at my 36wk app and I have sad that I don't mind if there is a student midwife in the room with me when I'm in labour because firstly - they have to learn somehow. and I'm not worded about diginity as I'm user that all goes out the window when your in labour lol

 

[amyjayne77]

I had a student at 2 out of 3 of my births and really liked it cos I heard everything being explained to them and found it really interesting. At first I was really unsure for the same reasons as you but it really was fine. Only do what you feel comfortable with though. xx

 

[mookie]

Hey

During my first pregnancy I was asked if a student midwife could follow me through my pregnancy, I said yes but she didn't bother and never turned up to appointments.
When I went in to labour I had two midwives that were in their first year training I think and they were amazing!! So kind and caring! My labour was induced and they really did look after me. I had to have an emergency c section and was terrified but they held my hand, looked after my son and taught me how to breast feed. The qualified midwife that was watching over them was awful!! Moody and snappy and quite clearly didn't want to be there!

While in labour the doctor had to prick my son's head while he was inside me and take blood. So my legs are up in the leg rests, I had four people down there watching and someone opens the door and leaves it open!! All those vistors had a shock Luckily I didn't care at the time! x

 

[TeenMum17]

im very scared of student midwifes! haha
i do not want any procedures taking place unless its by a trained doctor who has plenty of experience (this includes bloodtests)
i think a women should be made as at ease as possible durring labour and this is impossible with a room fulll of people and a student midwie possibly going wrong
no thankyouu

 

[chels21]

I had a student midwife at my second birth it was a male i felt really uncomfortable i dont think ill be having one this time just in case it is a male again. Their is alot of male midwifes theses days. xx

 

[Nanc]

Chels, I don't blame you. I would definitely say no to a male student. I think I would feel very uncomfortable.

 

[tinytoes]

im very scared of student midwifes! haha
i do not want any procedures taking place unless its by a trained doctor who has plenty of experience (this includes bloodtests)
i think a women should be made as at ease as possible durring labour and this is impossible with a room fulll of people and a student midwie possibly going wrong
no thankyouu

How would you feel about a student observing ? I can understand why would not like someone to actually preform procedures . It might make some people uncomfortable .