Hi Ladies,
As the title suggests, I am a Student Midwife. I do have a baby of my own (she's 14mths now...how time flies!), however I am completely new to Belly Belly so hope I'm posting in the correct place!

Ok, so I'll get down to business - actually, I should start off by saying CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancies!!! Such fantastic news and I'm sure you are all so excited/nervous/scared/thrilled etc etc!

Ok, as a Student Midwife I am required to conduct what our university calls 'Follow Through Journeys'. And each student needs to have completed 20 of them before she (or he!) can become registered as a Midwife. It's basically following a woman on her journey through pregnancy, birth and post birth. As students, it's great to learn from textbooks, but nothing makes you more ready for the real world than having practical skills!

The idea is you have individual pregnant women who you provide support to for a minimum of 10 hours (per woman). This support may come in the form of phone calls, meetings at their house or out in the community, attendance at any appointments i.e. antenatal clinic/doctor etc, as well as attending the birth with the mother (and of course any other birthing partners they have). It is purely a support role so we will not be performing any procedures etc, will basically just observe, but can actively assist you in any way possible.

I know the birth is a very personal, private moment (or hours!), and some people feel that they would not want a student present and this is completely understandable, however for some ladies, it can just be an additional support if they have any questions they want answered while in labour, or just need an extra pillow put under their head. Please know we would in no way take over any birth plans you may have or be annoyying, controlling, too involved, or take over the role of the father/partner!

So... in saying all of this I would love to hear from any pregnant ladies who may be having their babies in Brisbane, or northside of Brisbane who may like to have me as their Student Midwife. Unfortunately if you are 35 weeks + then it's too late (as you could have your baby any time and we need to get to know each other a little first!). Responses from other follow through journey mums have been extremely positive! They have reported that once them got to know the student, they built a great relationship with them and have said it was nice to have the same person attend/be in contact with, throughout their pregnancy/birth (as the majority of times you just see the midwife who is on shift that day!).

I'd just like to put out there that I am an open minded person, I respect everyone as the individual they are, I'm lots of fun but also very professional and would love to hear from any ladies who may be interested. Please feel free to contact me directly at my e-mail address cogrose@hotmail.com or post back as I am more than happy to answer any questions you many have. Please also know that everything is of course 'official' in the respect that we have documentation, the hospital where you are giving birth will have signed to state they are aware that you have a student midwife with you etc.

Thanks so much for your time ladies. Best of luck with everything, it's such an amazing time and once you have that baby, you're whole life changes in the best way possible!!