Student midwives

I had a qualified midwife, a student midwife and a male medical student present when I delivered.

The student was brilliant and helped the midwife so much. She basically did the delivery herself. I also had a sweep done by a student.

I know it’s not the same, but I’m a radiographer (NHS hospital) and work with students all the time. It’s the qualified persons responsability whatever happens in that room, so no professional would let a student do a job if they don’t trust them or know that are capable. And we watch them like a hawk!

I had a student midwife with me and she was amazing. So encouraging and supportive it really makes you feel like you’re doing a good job, my baby was her 22 nd catch out of 40 and that’s just a lovely thought!
But do what makes you comfortable

I would 100% be happy with having a student midwife. I am a RN and from my experience as a student you can be that extra person to assist the midwife or offer extra support and comfort to the patient. I think you will find that most students are extremely compassionate and caring.

They also need to learn too ♥️ it’s how our midwives got to where they are! And everything they do is under safe supervision x

I second these comments the student midwife was so knowledgeable,friendly and the best in the room for me!! Even though I nearly tore her hand off bless her 😣 she helped me with latching after the baby was born and was just so polite and a wonderful girl!!

With my first I said NO in my birth plan but on the day I suppose all dignity went out the window and agreed 😂, she was actually very caring and compassionate, with baby no2 I just agreed in the birth plan, at the end of the if we need midwives they’ve got to learn somewhere

My student midwife delivered my baby on Monday brilliantly. I had no tearing despite it being a very quick delivery. She also kept coming back to us afterwards to keep us updated on what would happen next and when we would go home etc. She was fantastic 🙂

I had a student midwife she was quite older than the normal student midwife’s but she was AMAZINGGGH she was giving me hand and back massages she was guiding me through it she never left my side once. She was so motivating and made the time pass by a lot quicker than what I would have if she wasn’t there. She was the best one in the room in my opinion she even delivered my baby girl and she was amazing if I knew her name I would ask for her every timeeeeee😂

The student ambulance services trainee who was present at mine was equally supportive as my midwife. She was holding my hand all through and reassuring me as well.
If you do not feel comfortable you can refuse, but I believe another helping hand is better than none.

all the very best on your journey.. xx

i’m a student midwife myself and not to be biased but most of the women tend to prefer students☺️ I think we tend to be more compassionate towards the women

I had a student midwife and she must have been in her 30s, I felt so so lucky to have her and she was absolutely amazing, I also felt exactly the same as you and agreed in the moment when I was there, so glad I did, she was incredible! X

I LOVED my student midwife!!
She didn’t leave me at all she was the kindest soul and was so helpful!
She actually delivered my baby and I was so happy she did - she genuinely was amazing

I think having another person in there is so helpful and reassuring especially when midwives are so stretched

But also I totally respect the feelings and it’s a choice only you can make

I have been asked if a student can be present and I said absolutely yes! My thoughts as a FTM is that I will get a bit of extra support 🙈🤣 I do get in with her though and she isn't awkward at all and if she was, I probably wouldn't have said yes so easily. Xx

I had a student midwife in during my labour and she was amazing! We ended up having an emergency c section and she even came upto the ward the next day to come see how we were x

I had a student midwife present during my water birth and she was godsend. The only one that really asked how I was doing and felt like the only one who was worried about me and not about baby.

She was actually the one that realised I had hemorraged as everyone else was focused on baby xx

I had a student during my labour and then emergency c section she was fantastic she really was and then I had two students on post natal who were beyond incredible they helped me so much. I've said this time around I'm happy for students to be present during my c section again

I had a student midwife deliver my baby and it was the best choice I ever made. She listened to anything I had to say, she checked me when I asked, followed through with any concerns and supported me when I needed it. She was great to talk to in general too and made my experience wonderful

I had a wonderful experience with a student midwife, it meant I had a consistent person at my appointments and she came to the birth which made me feel more supported. Because she supported me along the way it was special when she was the one to hand me my baby after a difficult birth. They are always supervised and you can still say no to any examinations by them if you don’t feel confident. Physically she only did a sweep for me but i was happy for her to, at birth the qualified midwife led everything and she was able to ask questions to expand her experience and get used to all the notes they have to do. I wouldn't hesitate to have one again. I think it would have been much more stressful without her.

I love the idea of students being present. To be able to aid their learning is great. They're never on their own and usually very up to date and great at their work! I'd always say yes x

A student midwife delivered my baby!

Aw I had a student midwife called Poppy during labour, she was lovely. She was assisted with an experience midwife and she was great. Even postpartum, student midwife called Chloe came back after mat leave and had me on her first day. Helped me in the shower. I cried on her because I felt so useless. She comforted me better than anybody on that ward and I’ll never forget it. It’s up to you, but in my opinion they try harder and are more attentive than some registered midwives

I had a student in with me and she was brilliant! Stayed with me every minute, when the midwife had to leave she could stay and answer any questions and she was so calming!

I was torn too, the students were fantastic and she was much more relaxed and straight forward than my qualified midwife. The student was amazing. I get why you say no students but I promise by the time they're in there helping with a birth, they are aware of what they are doing. They are completely utd on knowledge. You could also leave it blank and decide on the day. The student in with me came in just as I was pushing, but she was fantastic in leading what happened after.

I had a student midwife and she was better than the actual trained midwife. The trained one kept leaving me in the room to just go and nosey at what was happening in the corridor and leaving me on my own (I was a high risk pregnancy and babies heart rate kept dropping and she kept leaving me)
If it wasn’t for the student midwife being in the room I wouldn’t even wanna know what would’ve happened. I was with the student midwife and my babies heart rate dropped significantly, she ended up running to press the emergency buzzer and loads of midwives and doctors came running in as babies cord was wrapped around her neck, I was crowning too as nobody had checked me since 10pm that night when I was 4cm.. in 3 hours I went from 4cm to fully dilated. Student midwife had been trying to check me for hours but the main midwife told her I ‘didn’t need it’. Baby had to be born quickly and she was out within 8 mins and 5 pushes.
I was a bit on the fence about having students in but she was great!

The student midwife at my birth a few weeks ago was honestly a huge reason I got through it. It was quite a traumatic birth and she was so supportive and kind the whole way through. She didn’t do anything, just observed the trained professionals but I was wheeled in to theatre and she was keeping me distracted and chatting to me when I was scared. I’ll probably remember her kindness every time I think about my daughter’s birth. The student won’t actually do anything medical but If you don’t feel comfortable then don’t worry just say no, it’s your day x

Following on from my comment ^
I wasn’t sure if I wanted students in but half the time the students are better than the actual midwife as they are learning and are more on the ball as they don’t want to mess anything up. I had 2 throughout my time in the Labour ward and both of them were amazing and super kind and reassuring and stayed by my side throughout it all. My opinion on having students in have changed completely now as I’d always be happy to have them there after my experience and I feel happy knowing I’ve helped with their learning and gave them some hands on experience.
Plus you’re that focused on contractions / the pain and getting your baby out you won’t even notice. I honestly didn’t care who was in the room with me 😂 I just wanted the pain to stop and have my baby out lol

I’ll be honest by the time I was in labour I didn’t care who was in the room and didn’t really notice but then again apparently I zoned out of everything and wasn’t even making noise so they could have had anyone in the room and I wouldn’t have noticed 😅 I think when it’s happening you just go into birthing mode and everyone around you becomes a blur so it wouldn’t bother me

When my mother was having twins in the 90’s they specifically brought all the trainees in and there was a literal crowd of students and doctors and midwives but she was in such pain that when they asked her if it was okay she literally just told them she didn’t give a crap and just wanted her babies out 😂😂

I’ve had a student midwife in with every normal midwife appointment and I don’t mind at all! I have had the same one twice (first at booking app at 9 weeks, then yesterday at 28 weeks) and she took my bloods both times, measured me etc she’s lovely! And you gotta think, they have to learn the practical side somewhere.

I had student midwives in some of my community midwife appts then at my delivery (along side registered midwife) and they were all really good. You can say you want an experienced student midwife like a 3rd year student as they are nearly qualified at that point. They are a great source for extra support and listen to you. Whatever gut feeling you have go with that xx

They do have to learn somehow, but i can understand your anxiety. i was the same for my first xx. But I have had student midwives present in both my births, never had any issues, and had to go to theatre with one of them. There is always someone senior around, and you always have the right to question your care team xx you will get the feel on d day and if you still feel uncomfortable you can still refuse to have them there x

Wow I didn't expect my little question posted at 3AM during a sleepless night to explode like this! 🤣 what amazing responses - and not a single negative experience! Girls, I think it's safe to say I have removed the no-student policy from my birth plan as you have truly convinced me it's at the very least worth a go, due to everyone's amazing experiences 😊 thank you all so much for your insights, this has been so useful!! 🙏

oh I'm glad it's settled your nerves! They're honestly wonderful students and very attentive and even if they look nervous or don't do much they're focused on learning absolutely everything to be the best midwife they can be! Xx

oh I’m so glad we have all reassured you! 🫶🏻 I hope you have a positive birth experience!!

My student was the only one who believed me when I said I could feel her head. They left her with me when everyone else was in theatre prepping for c section ( that I didn’t want ) they claimed it’s because the baby was in distress when really it’s because the monitor wouldn’t stay on because I was SWEATING after 16 hours lol. My partner was in his scrubs I was screaming, they said no and left to do the breifing left her with me she said I’ll just check and she was bloody crowning meaning they couldn’t of done any c section and she ran to get someone half hour later baby was here! Although no one asked me if I wanted her in there or not lol I’m happy for it.

I had a student in my labour and she was really sweet, didn’t even notice she was there, the midwives were really thankful and I thought it was great for her to learn! :)

Ive got a student midwife this pregnancy (my fourth) and she seems a little awkward but shes so lovely. If she asked to be at the birth Id 100% say yes. Midwives are absolute angels and I like the idea of being a part of a students journey and aiding their learning x

I had like 20 people through the day I was giving birth, different rooms, transfer, doctors, midwives. I thought I was gonna ask them not to be present to but Believe me it’s not what you will pay attention to