Trainee midwife

[Astrid]

Just wondering what are trainee midwifes are meant to do whilst you are in labour. I have agreed to have a trainee around, she is meant to be turning up to my appointments (missed today's which was an important one as I putting my foot down with the ob) and be there for the birth. I am just not sure if I am to expect anything from her in the way of support etc or will it be a hindrance.

Originally a trainee midwife rwas ecommended to me as there are no doula's down here, the one in particular had just finished her training and I was quite happy to employ her as a doula. Unfortunately she pulled out do to being away around my EDD. So fairly new trainee contacted me. Now I am just not sure about the whole thing. I definitely need to know more about they do.

[Olive]

i had a trainee but she was part of the hospital training so shadowed the midwife, mine was lovely! sorry cant really help!

[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.