I'm on the other side of the fence as a student midwife (and am childless so I'm sorry if I shouldn't be replying) and would love to find some women who would take on a student for their follow-through journey, rather than as the assistant to the midwife (this usually happens in third year or in the year after graduation, and these students are generally much more hands on and left to supervise the birth much more on their own skills, as this is the learning agenda at that point in the course).

If you are offered the option of having a first or second year student follow you through, you may find that they will be learning things like taking vital signs, palpation, examinations and the lovely skills that midwives have in talking to and supporting you as their client. During the birth they'll be more in the coaching/support role than the hands on stuff, especially if it's their first year and you are among their first few births!