a student midwife seeks pregnant women
2011
How funny does that sound! Oy! It’s making my stomach tie in knots just typing it that’s for sure :-) And yet, this is what I must put out, round about my community (that includes here doesn’t it!) so as to entice 30 women over the next three years into sharing their experience of pregnancy with me so that I may learn, observe, listen, support, apply my university taught skills, and acquire wisdom and experience.
I can meet with you at your convenience, attend at least two of your antenatal appointments with you, help you find answers to your questions, make you a cup of tea, pretty much whatever you’d like. But I am only a student – so it’s just support – many midwives and researchers think of it as a therapeutic friendship. It’s called the Follow Through Journey and whilst I feel a bit intrusive and awkward asking, the feedback received and research carried out by my university would indicate that having a student midwife provide woman-centred support through your pregnancy, birth and first few weeks of new life is a very positive and joyful thing!
I have to make a flyer and some postcards and leave them about. Maternal and Child Health Centres, antenatal yoga classes, family medical centres, kindergartens, physiotherapy and birth class centres are all recommended places to leave them. One of my fellow students popped hers up on the noticeboard of her local cafe (literally a few doors down from her) and she received a call the very next morning – Sunday morning, whilst the pregnant woman was enjoying her breakfast out and my friend was only metres away in her jammies. She said she was almost about to say “Hey! I’ll pop on up for a chat if you like!” when she looked down and registered flannel.
It will be such a privilege to share this time with a woman and her babe-in-waiting and part of me is terribly excited as I think of the women I will meet and the experiences I will witness. Ooooooh! I just hope I find some willing participants. Oh and over the three years, we each have our own midwife mentor who will be there behind us, guiding, teaching, encouraging and supporting us. Just so you know, we’re not flying solo.
So … if you live here in Melbourne and are expecting a baby or know someone that is and may be interested, drop me a line here at lily (at) blockaday (dot) com and we can chat more about it :-) As I said, it will be such an honour to stand unobtrusively - and cheerfully – by your side, supporting you, your babe and family during this magical part of life.
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Hey, you changed your layout again! I read through a feed reader so I only realize when I comment ;-)
I have a pregnant friend who’s having a pretty rough first trimester. Sadly we’re both in germany so I can’t make you two meet up :-( I will however listen around, I still have friends in Melbourne, wouldn’t it be cool if you’d get to meet one of them!
So excited for you! And don’t feel intrusive about asking, I’m sure many many women will love to help and get support from you in return!
Although I can’t help out myself, I want to vouch for the benefits of havinbg a student midwife around when you are pregnant/delivering! I had a woman (doing the same degree as you) attend many of my appointments with me and she was also able to be there for the birth – it was wonderful to have continuity of care from someone who knew me and my partner quite well by the time I delivered and who was a “extra” not attached to the hospital but who was all about us. It’s wonderful! Good luck with finding your pregnant “subjects”.
Hi Lily, have just stumbled upon your blog, and was reading your post about student midwifery. can you give me some information on the course you are studying? I too am in melbnourne, am currently an RN, but Mid is always on the back of my mind. I’m a mummy to a one year old, and hope to one day adventure into the land of Mid!
Rhi
Is it OK that I cried when I read this?? I am so excited for you. My favorite health providers have been my midwives, truly the greatest women. Listeners, helpers, empowerers, and such a great support. This journey will be such an adventure. I am a stronger woman and mother because of them. Go Lily go!
Well,it’s an interesting article. It’s good to read about you that you are doing research on a pregnant woman. I wish you could find more pregnant women and find something new, good luck for your new adventure.