Last preg I had one. She came to the bare minimum number of appointments and was all about getting her assignments done. She came to the birth, but asked hubby to call her when I was at 8cm, then headed out the door to her part time job. I tried to sack her while I was in transition, but my midwife and husband still let her know, and she was there. In those first hours after birth, she totally redeemed herself, and was an angel.
This time round, I got my midwife to recommend a student, which she did, and she has been amazing. At every appointment, and if she can't make it, she calls me to catch up on how it went. Really helpful with my DD, who is not great with strangers, but she just loves this student mid, possibly because she can see how at ease she makes me. I already know she'll be great postnatally and I actually can't wait to be friends with her after that.
So, um, yeah, I do recommend it, but choose carefully, and don't be afraid to put your foot down. Good luck!
Yep I've got one now and she is fab! I actually found her when she advertised on here
She comes to almost all of my appointments depending on her work/Uni schedule. She already works on the maternity floor at the hospital I'm delivering at which is awesome. DH is fly in fly out so it's great having the extra support
I had one with my first and she was fantastic. She attended vast majority of appointments and the birth (she was super excited that she got to see her first c section). She was fantastic in labour.
I have just had a student midwife follow my pregnancy and birth and cannot rate it highly enough
I was a bit hesitant at first, as I like to keep my birth team to a minimum so i initially OKed it with my midwife (planned homebirth) as only for pre and postnatal appts. In the end, i developed such a lovely rapport with the student IM. I put it down to her enthusiasm and commitment to dedicating her time to the relationship of being a midwife overall. She was the one that sat with me at home and looked after me when i went into preterm labour (my IM at the time was at a birth). she was also there to cuddle my girls when we had our appointments etc. just lovely and nice that it was different from the main care-provider role. she was able to mother me in a way that full-time care providers cannot.
So, from someone that was quite hesitant i ended up requesting her to be there for the birth she took the most amazing pictures, read stories to my other girls and cuddled them close. a very special journey for everyone. recommend it!
Yes I have one now & had one for my previous pregnancy and love the extra support. If you are not comfortable with them being at the birth or certain appointments they don't need to come.
Personally I found the extra support at my previous birth wonderful and look forward to some extra help again.
Yep I had one for my last birth, she was great. Came to most of my appointments, caught up for coffee a couple of times and was really great and supportive during the birth and after.
Had one for DD2 and she was awesome, we're still friends and catch up 3 years later. Had a friend who had just started studying with DS and she got to 'catch' him during my csection.
Loved the extra support they both offered before during an after birth.
But like the others said, if you aren't comfortable, say something.
I had one when I went through the birth centre. She was really nice through the appointments, although during the birth she annoyed me big time. She used the stethoscope during contractions, but by the time she found the heartbeat, the contraction would be over. Also, it was really annoying having her fiddle around with the stethoscope while I was having really big contractions. Sometimes she just 'watched' me too which was annoying. She delivered the placenta which meant it took a bit longer. Because it was my second time and I had such a great birth - I didn't mind at all, but first time around I would have minded.
I think as long as you as you feel confident enough to say 'no' to them when you don't feel totally comfortable. Good luck
I had one with DS1 and it was great having a bit of extra support, especially as I had no family here. However I was a little sad when we didn't catch up postnatally but she was close to qualifying and I think life just got in the way. She does remember me now when we bump into each other at her work where I sometimes do placement.
Now I am a student midwife and I let the woman guide me as to my involvement. One I still catch up with over 6 months later and we have become good friends, others I barely see once the birth and immediate post birth period is over. All women so far have wanted me at the births, one did want me there but wanted me to stay away for most of the labour so I spent most of the time in another room respecting her need for privacy to labour. I would obviously recommend having a student but clearly I am a little bias now
i had one for my 1st pregnancy who was nice, but i didn't invite her to the birth. she came to visit after bub was born and we still email occasionally.
For my 2nd, i wasn't planning to have one but a student advertised locally who had matching interests to me (in previous studies) and so we met up and she was perfect. She added a great presence to pg appts, and was awesome at the birth helping dh to get the pool etc organised.
Each time, i didn't decide on whether they would be invited to the birth until the end. i think i made the right choice each time.
I had one and during the pregnancy she was great, she came to all the Ob appointments but it was no extra support for me as most of the time it seemed I knew more than she did. It was lovely having someone with me at the appointments though. During the birth when I really needed someone to stand up and support me I felt let down but she redeemed herself by getting herself into the CS (as well as my hubby) and taking photos of DS being born. She was really great after as well.
Having a student midwife
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