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Student Midwife (at birth) Printed From: OHbaby! Category: Pregnant Forum Name: Pregnancy Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place! URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37258 Printed Date: 09 August 2025 at 4:02am Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com Topic: Student Midwife (at birth) Posted By: Plushie Subject: Student Midwife (at birth) Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 12:05pm I did a wee search on this and didnt find anything, but please feel free to prove me wrong as i was sure this must have been asked before!! My (independant) midwifes have snagged themselves a student and asked if i would mind her working with me. I said yes - they have to learn somehow - and she is apparently going to talk with me next week on breastfeeding and she will be the one to catch the baby if all goes to plan. I rememeber someone saying here to get a student if you can because they're being marked on what they do so they are extra attentive and careful. Has anyone had one, or is having one? What were your experiences with them? Replies: Posted By: AandCsmum Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 12:16pm PM Katte she's a mw student & will be able to give you all the correct info. Tell her I told you to PM her. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> A = 01.02.04   &   C = 16.01.09   &   G = 30.03.12 Posted By: Plushie Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 12:22pm Brill, thanks heaps Keen to hear from anyone who had one and if they enjoyed/disliked the experience as well. Not that i imagine i'll be backing out - but i do like to hear peoples 'real life' perspectives. Posted By: Limochick Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 1:04pm I had a student midwife at my natural birth (2nd ds) and she was fantastic wouldn't fault her at all!!! ------------- Posted By: kellie Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 1:04pm I would be interested too. My midwife asked me if I would mind a student being there when I'm in labour. ------------- Posted By: mothermercury Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 1:21pm My midwife's student was present during my labour. I'm not sure what she did exactly (it was a bit of a blur)... She didn't actually deliver the baby, but she did some other things, while my midwife gave her instructions. She was lovely anyway, and everything went great! No problems with her at all. Posted By: Mum_mum Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 1:49pm I had a student midwife, she was AMAZING! She couched me through all the breathing, pushing, encouraging and she caught our bubs. The actual midwife just took a backseat and let my student midwife go for it. I really loved it cos she had so much enthusiasm and I had a wonderful birth. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com"> Angel baby - May 2008 Posted By: pekay Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 2:05pm I had a student deliver my first daughter. When I arrived at the hospital at 9pm, they mentioned that there were students around the next morning and asked if I was happy to have her involved if the timing was right etc. She arrived at about 7am and She delivered Leah at 9am. As far as I am aware, and according to my photos, she did pretty much everything at the end, guided her out, caught her, clamped, cut and all of the post birth tests on myself and Leah. My MW had been there 12hours caring for me, so I am sure she was relieved to have the student take over. As far as I remember my MW left soon after the birth and the student did all the necessities and helped with latching/feeding, assisting the OB with stitching etc. (obviously the MW didnt leave until we were stable etc). She was really wonderful and I put all my trust in her. She also did some post natal check ups too. In fact, she randomly became my MW with my second daughter. Regarding the student being more careful than a real MW? I am sure all real MW's are just as careful as any student would be....surely? Bowie, the hospital you are delivering at are wonderful, people often say this is the best place to have a baby at in NZ As long as you have full trust in your MW than I am sure any student working with her will be wonderful. Posted By: Red Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 2:57pm I am not sure if I would have wanted one - might change my mind second time around, but it was great just having midwife and DH in the birthing suite, not sure I would want to share my birth experience unessessarily with somebody I didn't know very well. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com"> Posted By: NewPhoenix Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 2:58pm . ------------- Posted By: mybeautiful3 Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 3:02pm I would say go for it 100%! Being a Birth Doula myself - it is wonderful to have additional caring support during your birth. It will be an invaluable learning experience for the the student - she will be very passionate & dedicated to you in assisting you in the type of birth you want (not that your LMC wont be). And thankyou for giving this opportunity to another aspiring midwife - we're really blessed by the amazing Midwife system we have in NZ! ------------- Just my job as a Birth Doula! Posted By: Plushie Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 3:44pm Oooh all good feedback, thats so good to hear! Not that i expected anything different i guess. I had heard it was a bit of a fight to get to witness a birth as midwifery students have to do it, but so do general med students and not many woman want a stranger around at that time - which is fair enough Lol, Pekay, i meant that because they're being judged and marked on what they're doing that they're extra extra careful to do everything exactly right and explain properly! I look foward to meeting her next week - and the no doubt awkward moment where she gets to explain breastfeeding to a stranger! Posted By: AuntieSarah Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 7:05pm I had a student midwife, she was at appointments before the birth, there for the birth and came to visit with my midwife afterwards too. It was great having an extra pair of hands at the birth! I was just concerned about her doing stuff like stitching me up but my midwife assured me that anything like that she would be doing. My midwife asked me if it was ok if the student examined me during the birth, by this stage I'd had an epidural and didn't give a stuff who had a feel around lol. She also examined my baby after he was born with the midwife, which was actually cool for me because I could hear my midwife explaining everything to her (the thing that sticks out in my head is her telling her to make sure she counted fingers and toes because you can assume they are all there but you need to make sure lol). Posted By: Lucky apple Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 7:33pm I was like Red above, didn't think I wanted any students (medical or MW) but, my birth wasn't quite as planned and so ended up with some intervention and there ended up being a med student with the paeds registrar that was there - I remember that, in the room full of people, there was one face that was absolutely beaming with a smile - SO excited to be there. It was the med student. She didn't actually do anything (except pick out the woollen hat and singlet for my low birth weight DD) but she was SO super excited to be in the background. So, in the end, it was a nice experience. Also, if you ever had any concerns about the person you had following you, you are within your rights to opt out. Posted By: tiptoes Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 7:56pm I had a student at some appointments but I didn't want her at the birth but then by the time I got to the stage of needing a c-section and they asked if a different one could come to the surgery I was beyond caring and she was quite lovely as DH didn't come in for the op so she was up my head end and was my support person and handed DS to me. Next time I probably wouldn't mind having one so much as I know when the time comes I don't really mind and an extra support person would probably be quite nice. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> Posted By: kabe Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 9:11pm I was a bit nervous having a MW student at the birth as I wanted my MW to deliver baby, not the student. Anyway, on the day my MW was flat out with 3 woman in labour and asked if it was ok if the student helped help out, otherwise she'd need to call on the hospital MW's. I agreed and she was wonderful!! S didn't deliver baby, as I ended up having a reg do a vontouse delivery, but she did all my obs, weighed baby, helped me shower etc. I mentioned her in our birth notice and she was so thrilled, as it was the first time anyone had done that! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> http://lilypie.com"> Posted By: fire_engine Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 10:11pm I had a med student at DS1's birth - he and DH talked soccer and he left 45 minutes before Dan was born. I had a student MW and a friend at DS2's birth. I don't remember what the student MW did - she faded into the background (which is exactly what I wanted from her AND the MW) but apparently she caught the baby and clamped the cord. I'm a firm believer in students needing to learn and I would rather theygot to see and learn lots while they are still being well supervised. ------------- Mum to two wee boys Posted By: Shezamumof3 Date Posted: 30 December 2010 at 10:25pm My MW had a student MW working with her when I had my kids, and she was brilliant! She would take my bood pressure, check the pee stick thing, feel my tummy etc etc and sometimes talk to me about things. She is now a fully qualified MW Posted By: Nutella Date Posted: 31 December 2010 at 12:23am Not quite the same thing but I had a student Gynae check me out once...now that was interesting!!! Poor guy haha! Was not exactly the most pleasant experience but they have to start somewhere ay.... ------------- Oct 11 Posted By: EmDee Date Posted: 31 December 2010 at 4:13pm Lol Nutella! I had student midwives with number 2 & 3 (mw didn't have one with number 1) and they were great! Everything they did was supervised by my mw and if it was to do with me, i.e. examining me during labour, they always asked first ... but then again my mw always asked too. And they were great at explaining what they were doing. DH caught both kids though and cut the cords which is what we wanted. ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 Posted By: rachelsea Date Posted: 31 December 2010 at 4:21pm I had a recent graduate MW at DD's birth, and a main MW, and I hadn't met either of them before! (hospital MWs) But they were both lovely. This time, my MW has had a student at all my appointments so far and she's awesome, I will definitely be happy to have her at the birth if she's still around in May. Not sure if she's just doing a placement at the mo or what... ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> Posted By: Candkids Date Posted: 31 December 2010 at 6:17pm i had a student midwife at my sons birth she was awsome! she was with my midwife the entire way through my pregnancy it was like doubble the care :) ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above Posted By: mummyofprinces Date Posted: 31 December 2010 at 8:45pm I had a student mw who was on hospital rotation for DS1 and she was lovely but wouldnt say overly helpful.. she did give me gas though DS2 my mw had a mutual friend working with her who was a 3rd year. It was awesome, I had a doula too so all up there was me, DH, MW, MW student and birth support. I wouldnt do it any other way.... She led the birth iygwim and my mw observed but took over when things went pear shaped but both were present during the section and she did everything from delivery onwards. It did get weird when i needed a catheter... if she was a stranger there is no way I would have let her do it but I trusted her and she did a great job (thank god) though it was a bit weird having a friend feeling around down there (my vjj wasnt numbed by the epi oddly enough). I highly recommend it and how awesome to help another great mw on her way to assisting many more women birth and care for the babies! ------------- Posted By: Buttons2 Date Posted: 05 January 2011 at 10:17pm I also had a student MW with my MW for DD1. She was really nice and I had agreed as was aware they need the opportunity to gain experience. But she was only there to observe, help and do small jobs, my MW was the main carer. And I only felt comfortable about it as the student was present for a number of weeks prior to birth, so had sat in on the weekly MW appointments etc so had got to know her a bit as well. To be honest the student was a bit airy fairy, all natural birthing etc etc and I wouldn't have chosen her as my midwife stand alone. But it was AWESOME having someone extra at the birth... just for all the little things, like keeping it fun and light hearted, fantastic enthusiasm AND the most amazing leg & back massages during labour   Plus she just picked up our camera and we got loads of amazing photos that we just wouldn't have had without her bieng there. Plus the little things like making toast & drinks or my DP ... and bringing sliced oranges etc. So overall a postiive experience and she created and sent a beautiful handmade card & poem afterwards to say thanks for sharing the journey with her   A nice momento in DD's album. This time around my MW has just again said would we be happy to have a student present and I've said yes, but only on proviso we get to meet first and can say no if don't click as it's a very personal time and experience. I'd say go for it on that proviso ------------- http://lilypie.com"> May 2010 Posted By: Kellyfer Date Posted: 06 January 2011 at 7:13am I had a student midwife who had also been at my appointments from about 25 weeks, so I had got to know her. She did all the blood pressure tests and listening tobath for me and got me ice and stuff. the heartbeat at the appointments (supervised by my MW of course). She also attempted a s&s, but my MW ended up having to do it - it was a little uncomfortable but not painful, and probably a good learning experience for her. During labour, it was good to have an extra pair of hands. She filled the bath and got ice for me. But I think next time I have a baby, I would like it to just be me, DH and MW, just because my labour kinda went pear shaped at the end and there ended up being about 6 medical staff in the room. So I think next time I'd like it to be a bit more intimate and personal, with as few people as possible. I'm glad I helped her out and I definitely don't have any regrets though, and she was great! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> Posted By: QTMum Date Posted: 06 January 2011 at 3:42pm I have had a student OB for a couple of appointments which didn't bother me at all. I've never had a student at the birth but I don't think I'd be bothered about that. To be honest apart from DH I barely eveen noticed who else was in the room. Posted By: Plushie Date Posted: 06 January 2011 at 6:47pm As an update i met this student today, she was lovely...but man, my midwife put her on the spot, i felt for the poor girl! She also somehow found three legs in me, luckily one was an elbow but her face was classic!! Must have thought i was hiding twins But she was lovely and like others have said its actually interesting to hear my midwife explain to her what she has to do/feel/explain! Posted By: busymum Date Posted: 06 January 2011 at 9:49pm I was nervous about having a student midwife - didn't exactly want a crowd! but in the end I said yes, to at least three of my babies (don't think I was asked about one of them). However in all cases, the student mw ended up unavailable at the precise time the baby was born so I've never had one!! I don't have a problem with one being there, of course your mw still has to follow all the safety procedures etc so it's really just a matter of preference with having another person in the room. ------------- Posted By: Emmi_ Date Posted: 07 January 2011 at 10:01pm I had a student MW, and LOVE her! Im waiting till she graduates so I can have her for number 2! My birth went pear shaped at the end and she was more in tune with me than my own MW, just totally awesome, I really cant wait to have her for my next baby (Ive even booked her in already!) It was great cos she had a sense of humor, she was more attentive in that she would do accupressure and massage my feet where my MW was more focused on the medical details. Yeah she was just brill! I had fun quizzing her, thanks to OB I knew a lot about pregnancy/labour/birth so had some good in depth discussions! ------------- +1 May 09 Angel Posted By: rorylex Date Posted: 07 January 2011 at 10:32pm My MW had a student mw, with my 3rd and 4th pregnancy but the student herself was a family friend. she delivered my 3rd baby even though she had just finished her yr the day b4 but we(me and mw) decided to call her in anyway. with my 4th she did most of my post care as she just lived around the corner. she is fully qual mw now and will be my mw's back up next time. ------------- Mummy to 4 boys Samuel - 18.6.05 Rory - 15.7.06 Mason - 13.06.08 Emmett - 24.01.10 Baby #5 - cooking Posted By: TrinaL Date Posted: 09 January 2011 at 10:07pm I had the a student mw at the hutt - wonder if it is the same one some of you others from here have raved about. She was fantastic. I was asked when I went in to deliver and honestly I only said yes as I knew someone else who had had her 3 weeks before and said she was great. It was really interesting too as the main mw ( I had hospital mw as through HR clinic - ended up with the delivery suite manager who was absolutely fantastic) was explaining everything really well to her as we went along. e.g. she was showing her the purple line on my butt to show how far down the baby had progressed. I really wanted to see that then but at that stage the angle made it impossible for me to see I had 3 mw in all as the cordbank one was there are well. None of whom I had met previously. I would say yes to a student mw being there again if asked but if I didn't like them I would definately ask them to leave. I also had students at some of the appointments with the ob but they were really restricted in what they were allowed to do. Posted By: KiwiAtHeart Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 12:08pm I had a student MW with DS and she was a lovely woman really nice but she wasnt the best to be honest putting me off having one again. She gave me the all clear to push, so i was doing so for about an hour and i was telling her and my MW that i just didnt feel like i was getting anywhere, so the MW checked only to tell me i was fully dialted yet (about 9 and a half) so i had to wait for that and then i got a bit discouraged from all the hard work id just put in for nothing. She had a really really nice bedside manner but was a real newbie at the practical work -------------     Posted By: Smithy77 Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 2:49pm I had a student MW for my visits before and after birth and she was excellent bu she missed the birth due to being with another woman in labour at the same time At the delivery suite there was a Med Student who wanted to witness a V birth so i was okay having him there didn't notice him most of the time. - as other have said they have to learn somewhere. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com"> Posted By: ButterflyMum Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 8:51pm I had one at my second she was really good she was about to sit her final exam.it. was. Good cause ment we did not need back I would be fine with it again ------------- Posted By: Bobchannz Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 11:27pm We had a student at my second birth. She was a first year and so wasn't really supposed to be doing anything hands on. She was really nice, and asked cool questions. I was supposed to be her 'normal birth' (planned water birth) but ended up being her first birth and of course a CS. It felt so cool having someone else in theatre who was there for me!! It made things feel very jolly! ------------- www.makedomum.blogspot.co.nz Posted By: james Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 7:35am i ahd a student midwife aswell she was so good that if i ever have another baby i would want her as my midwife ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a>

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