A few years ago, I left midwifery to work on my blog and books. But actually, I left because of night shift.
When I was practising in New Zealand, I was also training for a half marathon, writing a novel, running my business and doing conversion exams. I was getting up at 5 to get a start on it all before a 7am shift and working in the evening too.
How could there be anything wrong? I was nuts for midwifery and life.
I thought I just had a regular aversion to nights.
But on runs of nights.... I’d fantasise about whether I could get my bike hit by a car on the way in.
Huh.
And between you and me, it did get a bit more stupid than that. It's not something I can talk about and I was a hypervigilant, excellent midwife. But some of the coping strategies and thought patterns are not things I'd want my Mum to know about.
I'm not sure I could have explained any of this, I wasn't good at thinking about it at the time. I didn't think I could be very helpful to as a non-night shift midwife. I thought a lot about whether I was making it up because I just did fancy working at night.
So instead I gave in my notice, published two midwifery books, and founded a 24,000 strong midwifery community.
A bit of an overreaction.
What I needed was for someone to ask me how I was doing and to point out I was being a total lunatic idiot and drawing boundaries was okay.
Cut to three years later, I went to an ARM midwife at my local hospital and asked for her advice.
She booked me an appointment with the Head of Midwifery...and, one GP appointment and sleep researcher advice session later, turns out I was having PTSD symptoms and I'll be clinical again in 2020, sans nights.
There was a lot of ugly but happy crying.
I was this close to never coming back at all. (Thanks midwives who helped!)
What I learnt:
We were never meant to face midwifery alone.
So I've made resources for aspiring, student and qualified midwives which you can find more about here.
I love this blog, newly discovered it but looking forward to reading more of your posts. I’m 21 & finally getting around to studying toward my midwifery degree – currently doing a health science bridging course & hoping to get accepted into Wintec’s Bach. Midwifery next year. All the best!
Hi Kenia, thanks, that’s lovely feedback! People tell me English is really a hard language to learn. I’m trying to learn Spanish it’s supposed to be an ‘easy’ language, but it’s still really difficult! Do you currently work in Brazil or England? I think you would need to ask universities about your individual circumstances and grades. There is an 18 month midwifery conversion course for nurses, but you may be better off working towards a midwifery degree, depending on your background. There is a link here from one university that might be helpful: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/health-and-life-sciences-documents/nursing-and-midwifery/factsheet02.pdf
i am a igcse student who aspires to become a midwife. I find it interesting and it seems fun, with great satisfaction. However, i’ve heard that to get into midwifery is very competitive. How will my journey to train as a midwifery be like, briefly? also what grades do i need in order to get into it? thank you in advance
Every university asks for slightly different grades, but to start off with, you would need the equivalent 6 GCSEs, including Bs or at least Cs in English and Maths. I’m pretty sure iGCSEs would be fine. You would then usually need ‘300 UCAS points from a maximum of 3 A levels including at least one of the following subjects at grade B or above: Health and Social Care, Biology, Sports Science, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or Sociology. (excluding General Studies). A maximum of 40 points can be counted from AS level’ (This is from one fairly typical Uni website – DMU) (Or, obviously, the equivalent in a different type of qualification).
Finally, when you come to apply, you need to write a really brilliant personal statement! There’s loads on this blog on that, have a look around.
As to whether it’s competitive….there are usually 30 applicants per place, but this can be much higher in some areas. A lot of people seem to want to be midwives ? It’s a wonderful, if very challenging job.
ah right, sorry for the late response but thank you for the reply!! i was just wondering how much you would earn yearly in each stage as a midwife, if you dont mind?
Hi there! I think I remember reading somewhere that you studied at DMU? I am planning on applying for 2015 and was wondering if you knew whether the placements were block or if you had 3 days on placement and 2 days in uni each week for example? Also, do you know how many weeks into first year you start placement? Many thanks!
Hi Megan, I did indeed study at DMU, it was brilliant and I can highly recommend that course. Placements were in blocks rather than mixed weeks of study and practice, and I believe we started out in practice within the first three months. I hope this helps, good luck!
Stumbled across your website. Studied at DMU with you, however did not finish the training. I have now recently qualified as an Operating Department practitioner. A job that I love and have come to realised much better suited to rather then becoming a midwife. However in not doing my midwifery training i would not have come across this role, and have found that a lot of the knowledge I gained during my training has been of use. (I also worked as a HCA on a delivery suite prior to my ODP training). So there is an alternative path for those of us who do not make it.
Hi Claire, how lovely to hear from you! I remember you well. I’m really glad your found ODP work, everyone I talk to about working as part of a theatre team seems to find it really satisfying, and I agree, there are lots of different paths available to you once you get involved with the NHS,
Thanks for the encouragement,
Ellie x
Hi Ellie, very helpful blog, keep up the good work, I wanted to ask about the helping with my Personal statement please am having problem getting my education and skills across. thank you
Hi Ellie, I have just come across your website this evening while trying to do some research as have just found out today I have an interview for midwifery degree course at Canterbury Christchurch university. I am still in shock but am over the moon. It was the best Christmas present I could have asked for!!
I too spent my early midwifery career in New Zealand. It aught to be a compulsory secondment for midwives before being allowed to practise in the rest of the world. It may be at the bottom of the world, but it is the first in midwifery..
As a 30 year old mum on 4 I’m finally preparing to start my ucas application again (11 years after being rejected the first time!). Having had a quick look I’ve seen why I was unsuccessful I’m very much looking forward to receiving your book to help me this time. Keep up the good work!
I love this blog, newly discovered it but looking forward to reading more of your posts. I’m 21 & finally getting around to studying toward my midwifery degree – currently doing a health science bridging course & hoping to get accepted into Wintec’s Bach. Midwifery next year. All the best!
Thanks Lena, sounds like an excellent plan, let me know how you get on, best of luck!
I am an aspiring midwife I hope I can pick up some tips to help me on my way to applying to university 🙂
Thanks, amazing, I did love yours videos and your site.
I still have difficulties with English, but all is almost a dream!
I need to know about opportunities in courses of midwife.
I’m nurse, Brazilian, with a wish, be a midwife, so I’m loving all it ?
Hi Kenia, thanks, that’s lovely feedback! People tell me English is really a hard language to learn. I’m trying to learn Spanish it’s supposed to be an ‘easy’ language, but it’s still really difficult! Do you currently work in Brazil or England? I think you would need to ask universities about your individual circumstances and grades. There is an 18 month midwifery conversion course for nurses, but you may be better off working towards a midwifery degree, depending on your background. There is a link here from one university that might be helpful: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/health-and-life-sciences-documents/nursing-and-midwifery/factsheet02.pdf
let me try that again, haha.
i am a igcse student who aspires to become a midwife. I find it interesting and it seems fun, with great satisfaction. However, i’ve heard that to get into midwifery is very competitive. How will my journey to train as a midwifery be like, briefly? also what grades do i need in order to get into it? thank you in advance
Hi Samira,
Thanks for you comment 🙂
Every university asks for slightly different grades, but to start off with, you would need the equivalent 6 GCSEs, including Bs or at least Cs in English and Maths. I’m pretty sure iGCSEs would be fine. You would then usually need ‘300 UCAS points from a maximum of 3 A levels including at least one of the following subjects at grade B or above: Health and Social Care, Biology, Sports Science, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or Sociology. (excluding General Studies). A maximum of 40 points can be counted from AS level’ (This is from one fairly typical Uni website – DMU) (Or, obviously, the equivalent in a different type of qualification).
Most applicants get some work experience, you can volunteer, see this link here for more info: http://midwifediaries.com/?s=volunteer
Finally, when you come to apply, you need to write a really brilliant personal statement! There’s loads on this blog on that, have a look around.
As to whether it’s competitive….there are usually 30 applicants per place, but this can be much higher in some areas. A lot of people seem to want to be midwives ? It’s a wonderful, if very challenging job.
Your training will be…um…well try this link to explain! 😉 http://midwifediaries.com/midwife-training-uk/
And this video: http://midwifediaries.com/whats-like-midwife/
If you want just a straight A-Z guide, try my book, which is turning into a bit of a best seller on amazon: http://midwifediaries.com/becoming-student-midwife-book/
I really hope that helps! Good luck and let me know how you get on 🙂
ah right, sorry for the late response but thank you for the reply!! i was just wondering how much you would earn yearly in each stage as a midwife, if you dont mind?
Hi Samira, there’s a good link here that will explain: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/midwifery/pay-for-midwives/
They usually start on £21,000 – £22,000 , hope that helps!
Hi there! I think I remember reading somewhere that you studied at DMU? I am planning on applying for 2015 and was wondering if you knew whether the placements were block or if you had 3 days on placement and 2 days in uni each week for example? Also, do you know how many weeks into first year you start placement? Many thanks!
Hi Megan, I did indeed study at DMU, it was brilliant and I can highly recommend that course. Placements were in blocks rather than mixed weeks of study and practice, and I believe we started out in practice within the first three months. I hope this helps, good luck!
Hi Ellie
Stumbled across your website. Studied at DMU with you, however did not finish the training. I have now recently qualified as an Operating Department practitioner. A job that I love and have come to realised much better suited to rather then becoming a midwife. However in not doing my midwifery training i would not have come across this role, and have found that a lot of the knowledge I gained during my training has been of use. (I also worked as a HCA on a delivery suite prior to my ODP training). So there is an alternative path for those of us who do not make it.
Keep up the good work.
Claire
Hi Claire, how lovely to hear from you! I remember you well. I’m really glad your found ODP work, everyone I talk to about working as part of a theatre team seems to find it really satisfying, and I agree, there are lots of different paths available to you once you get involved with the NHS,
Thanks for the encouragement,
Ellie x
Hi Ellie, very helpful blog, keep up the good work, I wanted to ask about the helping with my Personal statement please am having problem getting my education and skills across. thank you
Hi Muna, thanks for the kind words! Re your personal statement, you can find out more information on the service here: http://midwifediaries.com/midwifery-ucas-personal-statement-coaching/. If you’d like to find out more, or to book coaching, you can email me: ellie@midwifediaries.com. Good luck!
Very useful blog, looking forward reading more of your post.
Hi Ellie, I have just come across your website this evening while trying to do some research as have just found out today I have an interview for midwifery degree course at Canterbury Christchurch university. I am still in shock but am over the moon. It was the best Christmas present I could have asked for!!
Congratulations Sarah! That’s fantastic, good luck lady! xx
Thank you! ! Although I don’t know where to start with preparing for the interview! ! ?
I just posted this: http://midwifediaries.com/blog/ Sarah, and also, see this: http://midwifediaries.com/essential-midwifery-interview-questions/. I hope this helps a bit! Perhaps subscribe (if you haven’t already), as more interview stuff will be coming up 🙂 xx
I too spent my early midwifery career in New Zealand. It aught to be a compulsory secondment for midwives before being allowed to practise in the rest of the world. It may be at the bottom of the world, but it is the first in midwifery..
I totally agree Jenny, that would be ace 🙂
As a 30 year old mum on 4 I’m finally preparing to start my ucas application again (11 years after being rejected the first time!). Having had a quick look I’ve seen why I was unsuccessful I’m very much looking forward to receiving your book to help me this time. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much Sarah! Good luck and have you seen this…?