A few months ago I was asked by one of the my shared care MW's how I would feel if I had a first year student MW attend my birth. I told her that it was fine provided I was not left alone with her to which they assured me I wouldn't.

It was explained to me that the Student MW would be keeping in contact with some follow on phone calls and would probably attened a few of my appointments.

She has rung once ... thats it.

I told her during our phone conversation that she was more than welcome to come along to my appointments, afterall its ALL experience isn't it!

SO anyway, I have heard nothing from her since.

At my last MW appointment the MW I saw was seriously unimpressed by the girls lack of follow up. The girl is meant to follow up to establish a connection with the mum afterall, birth is a very special and sacred thing. MW pretty much said she will take the girl off my "call in" list because she not showed the slightest bit of interest in establishing a connection etc.

I told the MW that pretty much the girl would just be observing anyway and I was unlikely to care if she was there or not providing she kept out of my way

But the MW was insistant that the girl had failed to fulfill her duties and therefore didn't think she should be there.

Part of me feels badly that this young woman could potentially miss out because of her inexperience BUT part of me agrees with the MW,why should I put my birth up for observation to someone who really doesn't seem interested.

Now I do have this young womans phone number but honestly its HER education and her responsibility to do the follow up as its part of her training.


SO,

What would you do?

Would you still allow her to observe your birth knowing that she has made no effort to establish a relationship with you like she was suppose to

OR

Would youjust tell the MW to scrub her name and number off your "call in" list because afterall she is practically a stranger.

I am fortunate enough to know WHO will be at my birth, I have one exceptional MW who is also a trusted MCHN and a friend, my DH, AND one of 4 MWs from my shared care program.

I feel bad for the girl but if she is training to be a MW she needs to learn what a special and important role it is and the connection between MW and mother. If she makes no effort then really should I be putting myself out there for her.

Thoughts please??

Nae x x