A Day in the Life of a Midwife
If you're thinking about a career in midwifery, here you can find out first hand what a typical day in the life of a newly-qualified midwife is like.
My first shift on labour ward happened to be a night shift so after sleeping during the day I arrived on the ward at 19.45. On arrival, the labour ward co-ordinator showed me round the ward and introduced me to all the staff I had not met. All the midwives, doctors and maternity care assistants then received a handover of all the women on the ward before the co-ordinator allocated midwives to each room.
I was allocated to bed 10, a woman having her first baby who had in fact booked at another hospital but arrived in triage as an emergency admission just before my shift started. She was in established labour and requesting an Epidural. After preparing her the anaesthetist arrived to administer the epidural.
Whilst discussing the epidural procedure the labour appeared to be progressing very quickly. After lifting the bed sheet it was immediately clear that the baby was about to be born as the baby’s head was visible.
Whilst discussing the epidural procedure the labour appeared to be progressing very quickly. After lifting the bed sheet it was immediately clear that the baby was about to be born as the baby’s head was visible. A second midwife joined me for birth and within an hour after being admitted to hospital the baby boy was born healthy and well. The baby was then breast fed before being transferred to the postnatal ward.
It was now 23.00 and I was given another lady to care for. This lady was having her second baby and 35 weeks pregnant and in advanced labour. Her baby was discovered to be in the footling breach position. As a result it was important that all the team - doctors, anaesthetist, labour ward manager and I - were in the room ready to help her. Although the medical team tried to stop the labour, the consultant obstetrician decided a caesarean was the safest option for the baby and the pregnant woman agreed. She remained calm and well informed and was quickly transferred to theatre for an emergency caesarean section.
As the lady's partner was with their younger daughter I held her hand until her partner was able to join her in theatre.
This was my first time in theatres as a qualified midwife and I was very nervous but the theatre team were very supportive and understanding. As the lady's partner was with their younger daughter I held her hand until her partner was able to join her in theatre. A healthy baby boy was born and, after a quick check by the paediatricians, the baby was handed to his father in theatre whilst the team completed the caesarean section. Following a short stay in recovery area of the theatre, the happy family were transferred to the postnatal ward.
It was now 02.30 and after an eventful start to the shift I was able to take a break, despite the copious amounts of adrenaline in my body. When I arrived back from my break at 04.00 I was allocated my final lady of the shift, a lady who was having her first baby, but who also had epilepsy. She was in labour and requesting an epidural. The anaesthetist arrived, discussed the procedure with her and administered the epidural. Following the insertion of the epidural, I dimmed the lights and the women slept the majority of the night whilst I monitored both her and her baby. At 07.45, the day staff began to arrive, I informed the newly arriving staff about this lady and my shift ended at 08.15. When my shift finished I was both exhausted but exhilarated remembering why I love midwifery.
The night reminded me what my amazing mentors had always told me as a student: trust your instincts, always listen to women (because they know their own bodies) and if in doubt, ask for help.
Each labouring woman was different and I felt privileged to be part of their birthing experience. I worked with a number of professionals from paediatricians to theatre staff and everyone was very supportive. The night reminded me what my amazing mentors had always told me as a student: trust your instincts, always listen to women (because they know their own bodies) and if in doubt, ask for help.
After a frightening and yet exciting night I was very glad to go to bed before my second night shift began later!