Some Thoughts on Infant Loss from an Incredible Dad (Fathers Day Post 2018)
I was not at all experienced when I first cared for a family whose baby had died.
I can remember crying my eyes out in the middle of labour ward because it was just too painful. Luckily, I had an amazing manager who gave me continuity with the family in question and I was able to follow them for 3 days worth of shifts. Their little boy had been stillborn after a complicated labour.
Midwife Deb Hughes on Facing Investigation For Unjust Reasons, Being Back Pain Free, And Lying Down In Labour
'I was suspended and investigated for taking a woman on my caseload home and letting her live with me and claim asylum. It’s a long and terrible story, and it was an awful 3 months whilst awaiting hearings and being threatened with NMC referral, but I won the case with the help of friends...'
Why Termination of Pregnancy Is a Theme in My Novel
Did you know I'm the middle of the final edit for my midwifery novel?
I'm beyond excited about it of course. But in a way, I don't want to finish the work and leave this world I'm living in. My early morning writing sessions hanging out with my main character, Chloe the student midwife, are the best thing about life at the moment.
Anonymous Candidate’s Mock Midwifery Interview (Video)
What if you could see inside a midwifery interview before you actually got to it? See the possible pitfalls and areas to shine?
Independent Midwife Jessica Smart on Having Multiple Roles and Avoiding Burnout
'Don't fall into line, and don't let the system make the women a burden to you. Place them first and foremost during your work and then leave it behind at the door to make room for yourself...'
Student Midwife Kristie on Training, Coping and ‘Not Over Thinking It’
At the beginning of January 2018, I thought about all the inspirational birth world people I’m in contact with.
4 Tips for Being Savvy Online as a Midwife
It might be contradictory for a midwifery blogger, but I have concerns about the online world.
It's easy to forget how recent it all is. Imagine you're a village midwife in the 1800s, regulated by the church and unconnected to the knowledge of others. Enter MatExp the Facebook group - what would those midwives have thought of it? It's mind-blowing how far we've come.
Independent Midwife Joy Horner on Being a Soft-Hearted Healthcare (S)Hero
I'll be honest - writing my second midwifery novel isn't going well today. But instead of having a self-induced meltdown, I'm sat here writing this with a liquorice, fennel, thyme and orange peel blend tea. This has been inspired by today's interview with independent midwife Joy Horner (and replaces my 'rocket fuel' coffee that I usually have, so is a bigger deal than it might sound). It helps no end to realise there are wise women like Joy out there. I bet you'll find her just as uplifting as I do. (more…)
‘Support/Advice Needed’ – A Student Midwife Nearly Gives up but Doesn’t
One Sunday back in 2015, I received this email from a student midwife:
Student Midwife Jasmine on Training with a Disability and the Importance of Friends and Family
At the beginning of January 2018, I thought about all the inspirational birth world people I’m in contact with.
Hi I’m 12 and hope to become a midwife when I am older do you have any tips or know anything I could work on now towards it??
Hi Katie, thanks for you comment, wow you’re very focused at such a young age! I would come and subscribe to midwifediaries.com for free blog posts on midwifery which are up to date, I have fun with them too so they’re good to read! Volunteering with people is always a good thing to do to develop your transferrable skills, could you get involved via your school with any caring volunteer positions? I’d also start to read everything you can get your hands on midwifery wise, and perhaps come over to the Secret Community for Midwives in the Making on Facebook for an idea of what midwives talk about x
I love your blog and am currently reading your book. Unfortunately, I am from the US so the educational path and such is much different than what you describe in the UK. Do you know of any American midwife blogs? I’ve tried searching online but most are very, very established in their careers and the things they write about are so far off from where I am in my journey to be a midwife.
Hi Alicia,
Great question! I don’t know many American midwife blogs sadly, though MidwifeThinking is a great Australian one, and SaraWickham.com is one of my favourite UK ones. Please do let me know if you find any good American midwife blogs, I’m always on the lookout! x
Hi Ellie,
I just wanted to share a bit of the furore that is occurring in the Queensland state of Australia. Obstetricians are moaning about the poor outcomes etc etc of midwifery led care. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/ama-queensland-seeks-urgent-change-to-way-maternal-services-delivered-in-queensland/news-story/5fa372d6478e4cdbba9de7977df224e1
I thought we were passed all this but apparently not.
Hi Ellie,
I’m a first year student midwife, and would eventually like to work as a midwife on First Nations reserves in Canada. Do you have any contacts who have trained as a midwife in the uk and moved over to Canada? Or do you yourself have any idea how the transfer would work?
Hi Ellie – if you particularly want to work for First Nations’ families I would first contact some of the Aboriginal health organisations or governance bodies to scope out how they would see a midwife from the UK working out. Perhaps you have First Nations/ Aboriginal heritage yourself, but if not you’d need to consider the implications of working as a outsider in communities that have a history of colonialism harming their existing birth cultures. e.g. http://www.naho.ca/midwifery/ also your immigration and work visa would be through the Canadian government but perhaps you could also ask permission of First Nation government for the area you’d like to practice in?
Hi Ellie, i am a second year student of midwifery in Slovakia.
I would like to ask you, what’s your posture for needs of women who are in puerperium ? What is your opinion for lactation and sports activities in postpartal period?
Thanks, for answer 🙂