Trainee midwife

[visitor1]

Like AJP...i had a trainee that was training through the hospital. She done everything the normal midwife did. Helped deliver DD1, checked BP, supported me in contractions, got needles ready, done internal exam.

Not much help either sorry.

[Antheia]

I had a trainee that was with the hospital too. She was really lovely but i think it would have been better if she wasn't there. I had a lot of physcological issues during my labour and everytime i saw her, my labour would suddenly stop. I have no idea, cause as i said she was lovely. I think it just depends on what you think you will be comfortable with. I thought i would be fine, but apparently i wasn't. But that is probably due to my first birth experience.

She didnt really do much. I think she was really new. She had a feel of my belly to see what a contraction felt like and she was there for the actual birth, just looking.

[SamanthaP]

Student midwives (not trainees) can do as much as you want or as little as you want during the labour. They should be a support not a hindrance though. I've had mostly fantastic experiences with women whom I've been following through. I attend all antenatal appointments (if I can), and have been at 3 labour and births over the past ten days where I've been lucky enough to catch the bubs as they made their way into the world. I think that you should call your student and talk with her about the program as it sounds like you consent hasn't been very informed. The relationship can be mutually rewarding as long as you both have clear expectations of each other and you communicate!

[*Ang*]

I had one at Alex's birth and like many of the others she was a trainee through the hospital. She was just lovely and pretty much did everything with the guidance of the fully trained midwife. In fact she delivered Alex and he was her first actual birth - she was so chuffed with herself and the whole experience. Wouldnt hesitate to have one again.

[BellyBelly]

Remember though that Astrid is referring to a follow through student midwife, not a hospital one on the day of the birth only.

[Astrid]

She is a follow through student midwife. It is a shame for her education that she did miss the VBAC negotiation today.

Thanks for the feedback, it will help me readjust my expectations of the whole situation. I suppose I am mourning the loss of having a doula, as that is what I was hoping to get from the previous midwife as she had finished her all her follow ups and wanted to keep working with pregnant women whilst waiting for an actual job on the labour ward.

I could organise a private midwife, but DH thinks the student midwife should be enough as I am also with the midwife continuity program and they seem great so far.

[BellyBelly]

Astrid, I could always try another shout out for a trainee/doula up your way... let me know!