I have both been the student midwife and had a student at DS3's birth. The student who followed me was working with my caseload midwife, I wasn't a continuity experience for her. But I saw her at most of my appointments and she sat with me during my whole labour, and caught my son. She was lovely and I really wished I had been able to keep in contact with her, especially as it was her who got me to go and study midwifery!

From the point of being the student in continuity experiences, I made sure that my women knew that it was totally their call as to if I was in or out of the birth room, or if they didn't want me there that I would not take any offence. I had one of mine ask me to meet me at the hospital, only for her to get her husband to call once she got there because she changed her mind. I was disappointed that I was going to miss to see her in all her birthing goddess mode, but I was VERY, VERY glad that she knew and felt comfortable enough to tell me what she wanted ensure her birth was the way she wanted.
I had some births I wasn't invited to, and some I was. Each was wonderful and I learned so much from every birth I had the honour of attending as a student.