Midwifery
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9537
Printed Date: 01 October 2025 at 10:30am
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Topic: Midwifery
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Subject: Midwifery
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:10am
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Do I wanna be a midwife?!?!
I know, I know... another career plan for me. And maybe not immediately. But it suits my 'help the world' mission as I can go and practise in developing countries or whatever. Fits in with my sexual health trip that I'm on at the moment... and means I can help teen mums, which has also been a bit of a mission of mine since I got preggo. And maybe somehow have a positive impact on child abuse etc?? Has anyone else done midwifery training? |
Replies:
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:13am
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I have thought of doing it as well (I know you can do a Bachelor of Midwifery at Massey). But they have a few limited number that can do it each year and they like it if you have done previous study (Human development of biology papers) and you have to be an internal student to do it. It is something that is still on my "I want to do list". ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:13am
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No, but I considered it when I did my nursing. I think in medicine, the greastest privlege is to be able to be with and help someone be born or someone die. I think Dunedin used to have amidwifery diploma, but canned it, but I heard it's back on the books for 2008. I do rmember seeing yu saying something ages ago about being a doula, so I think you have obviously got a passion for this kind of thing, and helping teen mums would be AWESOME! Good luck, you will be great! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:15am
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Yeah. I did look into being a Doula but I think it was all a bit hippy for me. It was just a quick way of getting into some aspect of midwifery, but in all reality I think it was possibly midwifery I wanted to do.
I've been thinking heaps lately about the health feild... I think it is really where I should be. Why did I not consider this 3 years ago?!!? |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:18am
I agree with you! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
nikkiwhyte wrote:Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:30am
| ARGH. I can't spell field. |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:30am
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P.S. Called Massey and got them to send me an introduction pack. I'll read through it and think about it... I have quite a while to decide.
ETA - Is it evil that I think I might be able to introduce more people to MCN this way?! 
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Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:43am
LMAO 
I think you'd make a great MW Nikki. I love your no-BS attitude but in a super friendly way  You actually remind me a lot of my student MW (I had a student and a fully qualified MW). If I'm ever in Wellington and about to pop I'd definitely give you a call LOL------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:46am
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No I think it would a good way of doing it (spec for first time mums). If you do want any info Nikki, I did work at Massey and from that have a huge general knowledge about the programmes and as its a preselected one (that was my speciality) I know heps about the selection process and what they are looking for. Just PM if you do. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 11:59am
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Go for it Nikki! You'd be a great midwife!
I must admit it's something I briefly entertained for while, I'm fascinated with the whole pregnancy and birth process, but I'd be torn between wanting to be an obstetrician and know EVERYTHING and wanting to be a midwife and handle things from the more natural perspective. So I decided to keep my day job which lets me indulge my obsession with pregnancy, birth and babies, and my passion for writing at the same time. And has more predictable hours than midwifery  -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 12:00pm
whats a doula? ive asked this before in an aussie site but forgot 
I think it would be a great career path Nikki, and to me you seem like the sort of person Id want as a midwife
I wish I had a midwife that was clued up on MCN, be a great way to get other mums into it ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 12:11pm
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Thanks lovelies
A doula is a birth assistant. Helps the midwife and supports the mother through birth and afterwards. I think they are quite common in the US etc. And Becks - on my way to PM ya
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Posted By: JD
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 12:31pm
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How are you with other peoples vaginas! hehehe
Sorry, can I blame that outburst on hormones ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 12:34pm
hahaha Suprisingly ok... well, can't say I've viewed too many of them but the thought doesn't bother me! I think being a mother has turned anything vaguely squemish into the norm
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 12:40pm
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you,ed be a great midwife nikki i,ve been thinking about the same thing but i cant decied between nurseing and midwifey plus i,m not as clever as you so would re4gure extra study lol go for it and yes they do have a midwife course here and its still going strong (dunedin) ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 12:49pm
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Ugh. Great for you but I've seen a couple of births and it's all I can do to keep from passing out LOL!! ------------- |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 1:18pm
I don't know if 'clever' is correct... I'm just silly and stayed in the education system out of fear for the real world! hehe
But you should look into it Lu... I think you'd make a lovely person to support people through birth or whatever. I think you'd make a great counsellor too 
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 1:34pm
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lol nikki everyone always comes to me or my mum with there probs so maybe i should get paid for it lol i was thinking of strating next year as james will be 3 and will get the 20 free hours at childcare aswell and nikki if its want you want to do go for it its 3 years for a midwife degree here in dunedin with one year for nurse,s ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 2:01pm
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Hrmmm... I'm still thinking. Will think about it for a while as I do want to work. ARGH.
Maybe I wait a few years. |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 2:21pm
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yep will at least you have thoses years lol nothing like turning 30 next year to make you think lol i,ve been thur many a career i think sometimes it can take awhile to find the one for you that fillfulling for you ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 4:03pm
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Is there some way you could spend some time with a midwife and see it from the other side? Might help, as it really really sucks to study your ass off for 4 years then find you dont actually like that career after all (personal experience there)!! Good luck with whatever you decide. You must be a mad woman wanting to do more time at uni, how many years would that make it?! ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 6:27pm
8. 
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 6:29pm
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I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy the career, but whether I'd enjoy something else just as much without doing the 3 years training, ya know?
I mean, all the things I've been going for in the past have been similar, but not as intense as far as the training goes, but also not as practical. I just don't know!!! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 6:41pm
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If your heart is telling you do it then do it. I truly believe that being a midwife is a vocation, something you are called to do, rather than just something you do to get paid for. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
|
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 8:32pm
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I think you would make a great midwife and I think it would be quite fun to study it too.
Lu CPIT has a pre health course you can do to get into it and they look pretty highly on mums I've always wanted to be a midwife but was talked into doing nursing instead, that only lasted 9 months before I dropped out cos it was not what I wanted to do. I think I will study it when the kids are a bit older. CPIT does it in Chch as well. |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 8:42pm
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8. ugh. Is there something in that vein that you could do for a year to see if you will still want to do it after a while? ------------- |
Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 8:42pm
Would you have to pay for uni now you have a partner? Or would you just not declare him.. hehe The fees are why I haven't gone back to study yet.. with a big student loan already I don't want to get in even more debt.
I agree with everyone that you would make a great midwife ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 9:02pm
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Another thought... how would mw-ery go with a preschooler? You probably wouldn't be able to work as one until she was 14 and could be left at home on short notice, like in the middle of the night etc? ------------- |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 31 July 2007 at 10:36am
I live with Tobin... and plan to for quite some time. (Perhaps forever  ) But yeah, that would mean that I need his support.
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 31 July 2007 at 10:38am
Yeah, I have to look into that too. I think that's why I am deciding sooner rather than later as when he becomes my 'de facto' partner then I am not eligible for DPB anymore. I think it is 2 years living together, but have to figure that one out. At the moment, while he is living with me we still have entirely seperate finances so I'd be peeved if I wasn't eligible anymore as I am still a single mum. |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 31 July 2007 at 10:40am
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Anywayyyyy... Tobin got a bit worried that it'd be like when his mum was an ED nurse and he only saw her once every couple of weeks as she was working night shift.
I think I'll have to talk to a midwife about the work hours as I don't really want that either. As far as I can see they usually work 9-5(ish) and are on call for births etc (but do about 40ish births per year) Maybe I'll just leave it for a few years and see if it is really where I want to be. |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 31 July 2007 at 10:52am
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I lived for 2 years with DP as his flatmate, I moved in with him and my name wasn't on any of the bills, lease etc. I was able to claim student allowance.
My SIL is a midwife and now a single mum, she works for an OB - she works school hours I think it does include some weekends, but no nights. She trained as a nurse initially and then did another year to qualify as a mid wife. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 31 July 2007 at 10:56am
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Cheers for that Fleury.
I just had a lot of info from the ladies on TNN and it seems the training is very intense. I'm not sure I could call on Tobin as much as I think I'd need to for this just yet.
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Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 01 August 2007 at 5:24pm
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ooo Im with you Nikki and want to be a MW. I did initially apply to Massey Wgtn to do their 3yr degree but was advised that it is quite a fully on job once out in the field and to leave it till my kids were older (quite alot of pressure for young family etc..) Hence why I ended up becoming a nurse. I still want to be a MW but will wait until the kids are older and hopefully they will cut the course down to 2yrs for a registered nurse..I doubt it tho Goodluck with making your decision!! BTW you can always ring a midwife and see if you can go along with her to a birth (with the ladies permission) I did this with my MW and was only suppose to go to one birth but she ended up taking me to 3 lol ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 02 August 2007 at 12:34pm
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I hijacked a chick yesterday randomly in a cafe as my friend told me she was doing midwifery - it doesn't seem like it is going to be a viable option for the next couple of years atleast.
She said that it's a full course load and then you are oncall for births as well. I didn't realise they got into the placement stuff so soon!!! Anyway, on my list of things to do
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Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 02 August 2007 at 1:30pm
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Hey there Nikki, this is something that i want to do as well, but decided to wait till my girls are around the 10-ish mark so that they are a little more managable with an unpredicatable schedule.. and so it's alittle less heat on mike (although two pre-teens sound just as much of a handful as toddlers i think but hey!)
For now i am content to stick with the other side, nursing the bubbas, and think it would hold me in good place for going into midwifery as i know how to deal with "when things go wrong" situations. If ya really wanna give it a go, i must say i have found a huuuuge difference in the skills and knowledge level between midwives who were previously nurses.. who have a far better understanding of all things biology etc, than the direct entry midwives... maybe do nursing first, lolol (i hear you laughing very loud). he he The one thing about midwifery is that you don't necissarily HAVE to be an independant one. there are plenty of hospital midwives which would provide you with the routine of (ick  shift work) It's just getting through the course first i guess. Only thing about that is it varies greatly how many births you attend as most women really do have their own independant ones these days.
Good luck. Who knows maybe we'll finally both decide to tick that off our to-do lists around the same time. ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 02 August 2007 at 1:33pm
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Janine, you are so right about the RN versus direct entry midwives. Whats an extra couple of years study when you are already looking at 8 Nikki! ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 02 August 2007 at 3:42pm
| My midwife did it while her kids were young and then had twins when she had nearly finished. Her hubby became a SAHD. |