I was first asked about how to cope with being rejected by a midwifery client by a student I'll call Alana. I thought it was a really great question because every midwife I know has been in this situation at some point.
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Midwifery group interviews are something that seems to worry applicants a bit.
Blimey crickey have I had emails and requests about this topic! I think this is because there’s not much information out there to go on to help you prepare. It’s an interview that has no rules you can revise for, and because it involves other people, it’s an unknown quantity. I remember trying to revise for mine all that time ago, and feeling completely lost. (more…)
I was first asked to do this video a long time ago by a midwifery student about to start their training, but I've put it off for a long time, considering what to say...coping with your first midwifery emergency can be a preoccupying thought!
Do you have to be a mum to be a good midwife? What do you think? I used to get asked this a lot as a student, probably because of how young I look. What are you thoughts? Do you think I'm right or do you totally disagree?
Please share so we can see what the world thinks! xx
‘Ellie, what are some funny student midwife fails you’ve come across in practice?’
‘Student Midwife Fails’ sounds like a bit of a mean title for a video - but on reflection I think I’ve been asked because we all need reassurance about getting things wrong.
Actually, student midwife ‘fails’ aren’t such a bad thing.
Yes, as midwives and student midwives we do a critically important job, and we should strive to get things right. (more…)
I was contacted by a student midwife I will call ‘W’ (you know who you are! 🙂 ). She emailed to ask if it's normal to feel nervous before starting to train as a midwife. W - it's totally normal to feel this way! However, it's good to come up with a coping strategy that will set you up for your career.
As Midwives we are in the firing line for fear more than most people. (more…)
Most student midwives spend some time choosing between Mayes and Myles Midwifery; these are our two beloved seminal textbooks. It's a hard choice, they're both excellent!
Paige, a student midwife starting this year, has asked me to this video comparison. Paige, I had a look at the books, reviews, and content in detail.... and what I found out sent me plunging down the rabbit hole! (more…)
I've written about delayed umbilical cord clamping before on MidwifeDiaries. But recently a lovely student get in touch to say she enjoyed the post, so I thought it was about time I did a video on it 🙂 This is a bitesized, whistlestop tour of all the info and evidence to do with delayed cord clamping, for your viewing pleasure! (more…)
This question, 'What's it like to be a midwife?', is from Maisie, but loads of people seem to want to know at the moment! I also met Freyja, who wants to be a midwife, on the wonderful world of twitter last night - it seems that I got this video up just in time to answer you as well. 🙂
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People ask a lot about what to buy before becoming a student midwife. These are the bare necessities. What you strictly need to buy is probably much less than you're thinking.
You don’t need expensive textbooks, sonicaids, or pinards. The hospital and university where you’ll be a student midwife will have these. You should also try out library books or books online and work out how you learn best before buying. (more…)
Kate, a new student midwife, emailed me about coping with your first birth as a student midwife.
She wanted to know how to cope at her first birth, as she had seen so many on TV and online that she has a lot of nervous energy and is worried about doing something silly! Hope this helps Kate!
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Often, doing my Midwifery Training, I felt like I was being swept off my feet by a wave of essays, clinical placement, and practical exams.
And I was trying to have a life at the same time!
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