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Midwifery at 22 years old

Hi, I'm currently a biomedical science student and I graduate in July 2025. I want to study midwifery and am planning to apply for 2026 entry but I'm scared that because I'm not straight out of sixth form/college or that I don't have any kids myself, I'll be at a disadvantage? I've always been fascinated with pregnancy and birth and how a woman's body adapts to carry a child and caring for women and babies is the dream. Taking the last three years to consider my career options and also learning a little bit about pregnancy and female fertility in my current degree definitely encouraged my decision. Is it normal for people without kids to do midwifery as a second degree? And how can I enhance my application? I plan to work as a HCA once I graduate and read a lot of midwifery books and articles but is there anything else I can do?
Original post by Sadia Firuj
Hi, I'm currently a biomedical science student and I graduate in July 2025. I want to study midwifery and am planning to apply for 2026 entry but I'm scared that because I'm not straight out of sixth form/college or that I don't have any kids myself, I'll be at a disadvantage? I've always been fascinated with pregnancy and birth and how a woman's body adapts to carry a child and caring for women and babies is the dream. Taking the last three years to consider my career options and also learning a little bit about pregnancy and female fertility in my current degree definitely encouraged my decision. Is it normal for people without kids to do midwifery as a second degree? And how can I enhance my application? I plan to work as a HCA once I graduate and read a lot of midwifery books and articles but is there anything else I can do?

100%. You can definitely study midwifery after your biomed undergrad degree, especially with 0 kids.

To further enhance your application, you can look into working as a HCA or a MSW (Maternity Support Worker - I think this is better suited for midwifery)
Original post by Sadia Firuj
Hi, I'm currently a biomedical science student and I graduate in July 2025. I want to study midwifery and am planning to apply for 2026 entry but I'm scared that because I'm not straight out of sixth form/college or that I don't have any kids myself, I'll be at a disadvantage? I've always been fascinated with pregnancy and birth and how a woman's body adapts to carry a child and caring for women and babies is the dream. Taking the last three years to consider my career options and also learning a little bit about pregnancy and female fertility in my current degree definitely encouraged my decision. Is it normal for people without kids to do midwifery as a second degree? And how can I enhance my application? I plan to work as a HCA once I graduate and read a lot of midwifery books and articles but is there anything else I can do?

hi
I'm pleased you are considering doing midwifery.
What you have said about the changes to the women's body for pregnancy is fascinating to learn and understand as a student midwife and then as a qualified midwife.

Don't worry about yourself not having children as this means nothing but it is a good idea to actually complete your midwife degree first ( if you are coming having children) and then get a job as a qualified midwife and then you can really consider having children as this way you'll have a good understanding of what you are going to be going through throughout your own pregnancy. It's not recommended for a student nurse to get pregnant during her studies as a student nurse/ midwife as you won't miss anything.

Although experience is not always required it's good to have some sort of experience if possible..... I would also recommend you should look into MCA ( maternity care assistant roles) at your local maternity unit ( this is roughly a 18 months course to complete and you are trained in every aspect of midwifery - only thing is you don't do any deliveries of babies but involved ). Even working as a HCA on maternity unit is good experience.

I will be honest with you regarding reading books prior - the only real training and experience you will get is actually being part of the degree course as you learn more about it there but you can get a book on Anatomy and Psychology of human body by Ross and Wilson ? You'll understand what the body does, there's so many books you can read, there's a few recent TV programmes on maternity care and delivery of babies you should watch.

I wouldn't be scared to be applying for next September 2025 intake of midwives if you have the actual entry requirements for your chosen university rather than wait another year as you could be one year closer in qualifying if successful..... You have time to apply still for interviews for next September so you don't have nothing to lose.


NHS registered midwife ( band 7 senior charge midwife)

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