midwifery question :)

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Im studying for my BSN at the moment. I was wondering did anyone do a midwifery clinical or is a midwife? I think I will be doing a midwifery clinical and I'm wondering what you thought of it? I've heard that some students have fainted and others thought it was boring because there was a lot of waiting around. What do you think? Im really nervous about it. I think it will be really cool getting to see a baby being born but I'm afraid I'll be really awkward because Im quite shy and I might get embarrassed. Any tips?

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Congrats on working toward your BSN!

I want NOTHING to do with birthing babies... except my own... BUT in my maternal/newborn class, I was present at 3 births (2 c-sections and 1 lady partsl w/o pain management). I say "present" b/c as a Student-Nurse, there is little you can do but be an encourager.

IT WAS AMAZING!

I have two children of my own, both by c/s. Seeing a birth from a professional side was an eye opening experience. If you are with a nurse, midwife, or physician that encourages you to ask questions, it can be a wonderful learning opportunity.

We are in middle TN, and if you know much about natural childbirth, you have probably heard of "The Farm" near Summertown, TN. About 3 of my classmates are interested in becoming medwives, so they went over and toured The Farm. The stories they came back with were really unique, and it made me curious to learn more about their services.

Consider your career goals. If midwifery is something you may be interested in, go for it! The best thing to remember with any clinical situation ASK QUESTIONS, OFFER TO HELP, and ASK QUESTIONS! I got to do some much cool stuff that other did not because I constantly kept my ears open and asked if I could have a crack at it. I was told "no" sometimes, but more often than not, I got some great hands-on experience that gave me wonderful material to discuss at hose first job interviews.

Best of luck!

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

We did a Labor and Delivery rotation as part of our mother/baby clinical. It was only one day in L&D. I've never heard of doing clinicals with a midwife, because when you graduate with your BSN, RN you won't be practicing in the role of a midwife.

I liked my one day in L&D. However it was boring at times. There were a couple of moms that didn't want students in the room. But I did get to see one delivery. The woman was admitted and delivered within two hours, so it was very fast. That part was exciting and it was very cool to get to see a birth. I didn't faint, and no one else in my class did either.

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In working with a midwife, it may be interesting to see how she is a patient advocate/educator/etc. If OB/GYN is something you may be interested in, it could be a great opportunity to get a well rounded view of what all they do.

If you are borderline on whether or not you want to be in OB or GYN, I may look and see what else is out there. No need in spending a lot of extra time in there when there may be something that better sparks your interest.

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thanks guys! I suppose all I can do is try and make the most of it :) Im from Ireland so I've never heard of ''The Farm'' although I have been in lots of farms :p but not the farm in TN...im guessing TN stands for a place? Also, I dont get a choice on where I do my clinicals so I have to do a midwifery clinical. I started studying for my BSN straight out of high school so I still kinda find some situations kind of morto! I dont mean to sound immature or anything but I can't help it! I do a good job of hiding it which is at least one good thing!!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Butterfly134 - here is what the previous poster was referring to:

http://www.thefarmmidwives.org

And yes, you are correct. TN = Tennessee, one of our states.

You'll be fine. Just make sure you eat something the day of clinical. :)

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thanks guys! I suppose all I can do is try and make the most of it :) Im from Ireland so I've never heard of ''The Farm'' although I have been in lots of farms :p but not the farm in TN...im guessing TN stands for a place? Also, I dont get a choice on where I do my clinicals so I have to do a midwifery clinical. I started studying for my BSN straight out of high school so I still kinda find some situations kind of morto! I dont mean to sound immature or anything but I can't help it! I do a good job of hiding it which is at least one good thing!!

TN stands for the state Tennessee. If you have ever heard of Ina May Gaskin (many consider her one of the mothers of modern midwifery--at least here in the states) she is one of the founders of The Farm. The midwives that work there though are Certified Professional Midwives, not nurse-midwives (which I'm assuming you would be shadowing). The CPMs are not required to have a nursing degree first and they deliver in out of hospital births... home and birthing centers. CNMs on the other hand primarily deliver in hospitals (96%) and the rest in birth centers or at home. Granted--seeing a birth is seeing a birth, and I would love to spend some time at the Farm! However, the clinical with a nurse-midwife would most likely be very different than that. You should check out The Farm.. they have a website. Good luck! That's great that you would get to do a clinical with a midwife, this is nothing I have heard of before!

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

What I wouldn't give to meet Ina May Gaskin someday!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
What I wouldn't give to meet Ina May Gaskin someday!

Me too! She is on my Facebook list of people who inspire me! :heartbeat

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What I wouldn't give to meet Ina May Gaskin someday!

oh I totally agree! a documentary is being made about her (called: ina may gaskin documentary.. clever haha) and i can't wait to see it! they have midwifery assistant workshops at the farm that i would love to attend (even though i want to be a cnm) but i just can't bring myself to shell out the money for a 2 week class. but i bet she would definitely be there!

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

im confused. A midwifery clinical?? do you mean post partum? labor and delivery? or following a midwife around? If your just going for your BSN you can't be a midwife, they have all gone to grad. school. So i guess im a little confused.

As for my clinicals in post partum/labor and delivery. i HATED them. I like children, don't get me wrong. i was board out of my mind. I felt like it was "pass meds, assessments, fundal checks, education, silent time, repeat." Mom's wanted nothing to do with the students. They were INCREDIBLY emotional (i understand why. it was just annoying).

I hated the lying "Oh yes, i think 'walter' is an excellent name for your baby" (EW!). "Oh yes, your baby is the most beautiful thing i've ever seen" despite the fact he his jaundice, hairy and head is shaped like a pear. :icon_roll

I guess it was how i saw it, and KUDOS to people who enjoy it and can do it! it just wasn't my thing and i'm not meant to be that type of nurse.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Jenni811 - the OP is in Ireland and the study of midwifery is done a little differently than here. That's how she can study midwifery without being in grad school. :)

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