Midwifery work experience

hi!!
im new to this so i just thought id ask a quick question and see if you can help me out!

i really want to become a midwife and i know it helps to have work experience to support an application.
has anyone managed to get work experience on a maternity ward and if so , what did you end up doing?
if not on a maternity ward, what other experience could i do???

alot of question, i know! :confused:

thanks
em

Reply 1

oh_eight

It would depend what age you are. I think if you're under 18 (or it could be 16) you've got no chance due to health and safety rules etc.

You could try nurserys? Or... other... places there might be babies? Haha, sorry, I'm not really sure! :biggrin:

Reply 2

EmilyGrace

OP

thanks!!
i was wondering if i could do some experience on a childrens ward in a hospital?
i dunno if the same health and safety applies tho?!?
thanks fo the advice

Reply 3

oh_eight

Sorry, but the same H&S rules will probably apply.
Have you got a careers advisor at school? You could ask them what kind of work experience placements you should go for? :biggrin:

Reply 4

EmilyGrace

OP

our school is really bad at that kind of thing- they say it is up to you to organise work experience and then leave you to it.
i could ask my form tutor or something - they might be able to give advice
thanks

Reply 5

pinky21

My friend wrote to her local GP asking if she could shadow a midwife, although she hasnt got a reply back yet. From what I've heard they dont expect you to have direct experience, but if you can show you've worked with people in a care setting that would be good, also remember it doesnt have to be with babies/children.. as you going to be dealing with adults - new mums (and dads) too!

Reply 6

oh_eight

pinky21

as you going to be dealing with adults - new mums (and dads) too!

Ohh yes, what about trying for antenatal classes? That could be quite interesting! (Atleast I think so... :P)

Reply 7

anna_spanner89

oh_eight

Ohh yes, what about trying for antenatal classes? That could be quite interesting! (Atleast I think so... :P)

My mum is an antenatal teacher and she has work experience people shadowing all the time

Reply 8

EmilyGrace

OP

yeah ..i thought bout that..and postnatal/mother and baby classes might be useful too!
i have had a look at our local gp on the internet and they do all those classees so i will probs ask there!
do you think i should phone or write or email??
thanks for all the advice so far!

Reply 9

oh_eight

EmilyGrace

yeah ..i thought bout that..and postnatal/mother and baby classes might be useful too!
i have had a look at our local gp on the internet and they do all those classees so i will probs ask there!
do you think i should phone or write or email??
thanks for all the advice so far!

Phone, it'll be quicker. But I'd say try round about when the practice about to close, the lines won't be so busy with people trying to get an appointment. Or you could even go to the practice in person, might make you look more keen? :P

Reply 10

EmilyGrace

OP

yeah that sounds good..i will be very enthusiastic and bug them til they listen!
i might try a few gps tho cos if one says no i will have a backup?!?

Reply 11

No Future

17

Seriously just write to the maternity dept at the hospital directly. Depends what the manager is like.

I work in a hospital and there are work exp ppl around quite often

Reply 12

oh_eight

EmilyGrace

yeah that sounds good..i will be very enthusiastic and bug them til they listen!
i might try a few gps tho cos if one says no i will have a backup?!?

Well take into account how far the GPs are from your house, so time it takes you to get there and back, how you'll get there, etc. :smile:

When I was on work experience I had to get up really early and catch two buses to get there. Very worth it though. :biggrin:

Good luck! :biggrin:

Reply 13

EmilyGrace

OP

thanks everyone!!
i have found 3 local gps that i could get to easily so i am going to ask if it is possible to do anything there. also i am writing to the local hospital ....not sure what to say or ask for though!! any ideas welcome!!
x

Reply 14

xlux

Ive got a place for midwifery next year. I volunteered at a local hospital but the age restricitions are a pain.

I would steer well clear of doing nursery work, and working on childrens ward if i were you, as they wont be seen as anything to do with the course.

If you write to the hospital then just say you're wanting to start a midwifery course and would like to get some experience. Also, you can go on different wards, such as ante-natal, maternity, delivery suite and even gynae.

And the classes are a good idea too, like what oh_eight said. Theres ante natal classes, and breastfeeding classes etc. Or check where your nearest baby cafe is and contact them. You can then get chatting to the mums about their experiences etc (dont ask a long list of questions though!!)

Hope some of that helps

xx

Midwifery work experience

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