30+ Secrets Midwives Will Never Give Away

2 years ago

1. They Can Size Up Your Pregnancy With One Glance At The Chart

Image source Medical News TodayWhat looks like a printout of jargon to a layman gives the midwife all the information she or he needs regarding the labour of the lady. The sheet does not even need to be studied - those zig zag lines speak volumes about how baby is doing in the womb, it's heart rate and anything that needs addressing.

2. The Birth Of A New Baby Is Still Their Wow Factor

Image Source Grand Rapids KidsBeing the first person to touch and hold a new life is breath taking. No matter how long, messy, tiring, or stressful their day turn out to be, delivering babies never loses its wow factor. Contributing to a child's journey into the world is the most magical feeling.

3. Their Hands Get Bruises From New Mums-To-Be Squeezing Them

Image source RedditWhen a woman is in the midst of labour, she gets an inner strength to deal with what she has to cope with. When she gets another contraction, it's quite usual for her to squeeze the hand of the nearest person. If it's not her partner, it could be the midwife who will bear the brunt of it, causing her hand to bruise - all in a day's work.

4. Seeing A Woman Become A Mother Is Amazing

Image source BBCWitnessing a lady transform from a female into a parent is truly momentous. Midwives see their body language completely change and soften to melting point. From screaming during childbirth and all the drama that goes with it, once baby makes an entrance, there is utter joy.

5. They Experience A Huge Feeling Of Responsibility

Image source WebMDEspecially when they first qualify, the feeling of responsibility that's held is massive. Realising that they are holding the life, health and wellbeing of more than one person in their hands is quite daunting and all the training in the world cannot take that feeling away completely.

6. They Like Stealing Cuddles With A New Baby

Image source The Big IssueThey don't often have a minute to spare but when a new mother offers her baby for a bit of a cuddle, there's no way they can resist. Also, one of their favourite parts of the job is that unique 'new baby' smell that gets them every time! They should make it into an air freshener!

7. They Think ALL Babies Are Cute

Image source Bored PandaWhen a midwife is asked, 'isn't he/she beautiful?' they always agree. It's not that they are just being polite - they genuinely mean it! In their eyes, there is no such thing as a funny looking baby. They know they come in all shapes and sizes and there's nothing they haven't seen.

8. Women Always Tell Them They're Frightened Of Pooing During Childbirth

Image source Today's ParentsIf a midwife had a pound for every time a woman expressed her concern at pooing when in labour, she would be living her life in luxury! They don't care if it happens - it's a plain fact of life. Unfortunately, it stresses some mums-to-be so much that they won't push as hard as they can and labour lasts longer.

9. They Often Get Shouted At And Threatened

Image source RomperMums in labour can swear, shout, scream and make lots of demands but midwives take it all in their stride. It's all part of a day's work. However, if the woman's partner becomes aggressive and it does happen sometimes, they can become quite threatening and nasty.

10. Some Partners Are Unsupportive

Image source Smart ParentsTaking selfies, wandering off, being bad-tempered and playing Pokémon Go (yes, it's all happened) are some of the things that women's partners do when they are being unsupportive and they don't even care. Midwives have to bite their tongues to keep neutral at all times unless someone is in danger.

11. They Develop Intense Relationships In A Short Time

Image source Baby CentreThey see people at their worst but they also see them at their best as well. Even though there aren't enough hours in the day, they have to split their time between dozens of women. Despite this, they manage to bond with each and ever one of them and see it as a privilege.

12. Their Busiest Time Is Autumn

Image source Daily ExpressChristmas and New Year pregnancies (sometimes under the influence of an Xmas drink) lead to a big spike in the birth rate around September time and maternity wards are usually at bursting point during this period - so if you don't want a new bundle of joy just yet, don't forget to take precautions at those festive parties!

13. Premature Births Are Extra Challenging

Image source Verywell FamilyThey usually have to spend quite a long time calming down these very upset mums. Outcomes for premature babies are often good and being distressed doesn't help them cope with the impending childbirth. Midwives try to keep things as positive as possible.

14. They Sometimes Have To Take Babies Away From New Mum At Birth

Image source LansinohUnfortunately not everyone is suitable to be a parent and a very few women are subject to a court removal order. This means that midwives have to help social workers remove the baby whilst comforting the mother. Some babies are born addicted to heroin or other drugs and they experience withdrawal symptoms which is very difficult for the medical team.

15. They Get Hardly Any Breaks

Image source Staff BlogThey don't usually have time to have lunch or more than a single drink in a 12 hours shift. They never manage to sit down for more than a few minutes and that's if they're lucky! Basically, midwives are always knackered, hungry and have sore feet - but they say it's worth it.

16. Their Shifts Are So Long

Image source The GuardianThey do 9 or 12 hour shifts on a changing rota which means they cannot guarantee having a day off on special occasions. Also, they regularly work over the end of their shifts, completing paperwork, risk assessments, individual needs forms, care plans etc - the list goes on.

17. They Deal With Threats Of Losing Registration

Image source Insider

18. Pregnancy Doesn't Always Have A Happy Ending

Image source The GuardianIf a baby is stillborn, it's always a tragedy. Midwives take careful care of these beautiful babies, wash and dress them and take photos of the parents with their baby. They write a name tag and create tiny hand and foot prints that will be treasured for ever. These things can only help to make a terrible situation a little bit more bearable.

19. They Are Often Run Off Their Feet

Image source All4MaternityIt is very emotionally draining for them to support mums in labour and if they are on a long shift, they are often too exhausted to have much left in the tank by the end. Occasionally they will feel like they can only give basic support which doesn't feel great and midwives do tend to be very hard on themselves.

20. They Shed Lots Of Tears

Image source Yahoo Life UKSometimes they shed tears of joy - other times they're tears of exhaustion, of worry, frustration and sadness. No one said being a midwife was easy but the majority of them didn't expect it to be quite as hard. Unlike office staff, they can't just clock off and forget about the day.

21. They Are Addicted To Work

Image source QEH Media HubMany midwives say they occasionally think about quitting if they have gone through a really tough shift. That feeling passes because the majority could not move away from their calling. They mainly say they would miss all the beautiful moments of childbirth.

22. They Adore The Sight Of Love That A Mother Shows Her Newborn

Image source HuffPostThe look of amazement on a woman's face when she sees her baby for the first time is what makes absolutely everything worthwhile. It certainly doesn't put midwives off having children of their own! They know the sheer joy and unconditional love women feel when they first hold their baby and midwives want to experience that.

23. They Can Stitch As Well As A Surgeon

Image source InsiderMidwifery skills go further than helping deliver the baby. Many women have an episiotomy, a surgical cut at the opening of the vagina during childbirth, to help a difficult delivery and prevent rupture of tissues. The midwife will stitch the cut every bit as competent as a surgeon.

24. They Try To Stay Cheerful When Stressed

Image source Daily ExpressIt's no secret that midwives, like other medical professionals, have enough work to keep them going 24 hours a day. It's a stressful vocation but most wouldn't dream of leaving it because they love what they do. When they are feeling particularly stressed, they will get a bit of banter going with their colleagues to keep cheerful and get them through their shift.

25. Student Midwives Get Attached to Their Practice Dolls

Image source Daily MailYou may laugh at this fact but, honestly, it's true. The practice baby will be handled many times every day as student midwives learn their craft. They will name the doll and treat it with the same care as they would a real life human - it's all part of the teaching process!

26. They Know All The Answers To Questions On Feeding

Image source MedalaOne of the aspects that new mother's struggle with is whether to breast or bottle feed their new baby. They may want to breast feed but can't manage it or they might want to get baby on the bottle and worry they will be judged. Midwives can give you all the advice you need and have heard every question asked many times before.

27. They Can Help You Work Those Muscles You Didn't Know You Had

Image source Scottish MirrorPregnant mums will be surprised to know that midwives can advise which exercises would be beneficial for them and which ones to do after baby is born. If baby is lying on a nerve or giving you awful backache, for example, a midwife can help alleviate the issues.

28. They Are So Much More Than An Emotional Support

Image source HealthlineObviously, midwives give emotional support but it doesn't end there. They are also highly medically trained. Their everyday work involves putting in IV drips, topping up epidurals, giving insulin infusions, taking blood and stitching up skin in the most delicate of areas.

29. Student Midwives Are So Eager At Start Of Training

Image source RCMIt's always exciting when you start a journey on the road to a new profession. It takes a certain type of person who makes the decision to be a midwife, a very caring and devoted individual who wants to make a difference. Because of these qualities, student midwives are always so eager to get going.

30. Male Midwives Are Still Called Midwives

Image source MylocumEven in these days of being careful how you address someone, for fear of offending them, it's a little different in the world of midwives. Male midwives are still called midwives and they're all good with it. If only other groups could be as easy going, then maybe the world would be a less complicated place!

31. It Annoys Midwives When People Think They Just Deliver Babies

Image Source / WikipediaDelivering babies is a huge part of the role, and it's the one you'll probably think of first when someone mentions a midwife. But midwives are responsible for so much more, with a wide range of skills, including parenthood support and mental health, so it's annoying for midwives when people presume they can only do one thing!

32. No, They're Not Nurses

Image Source / NurseJournal.org

Some people may also think that midwives are a variety of nurse, of that nurses can also be midwives and vice versa. But midwifery is a different profession to nursing. Nursing is all about caring for someone who is ill - midwifery is about supporting pregnant people, who are usually perfectly healthy!

33. Midwives Think The Female Body Is Amazing!

Image Source / Popular ScienceAnd that's because it is! Pregnancy is an amazing transition for the human body, and even midwives who have been working at it for years will still be amazed at how the human body can adapt to being pregnant and to giving birth.

34. Midwives Can Do All The Jobs Most People Would Think Doctors Do, Too

Image Source / BBCMidwives are trained to be expert medical professionals, just like nurses and doctors are. Midwives do all the jobs that you might think a doctor would usually take care of, and a midwife's medical talents include sewing up tears that might happen during childbirth, and conducting physical examinations.

35. Childbirth Is Not Usually As Scary As It Looks On TV

Image Source / WikipediaWe've all seen those dramatic childbirth scenes in TV shows when the mother is screaming in pain, enough to put off anyone wanting children. But midwives say that it's often very different to how it's depicted on TV, and a lot of people can give birth with minimal fuss when focused on the job at hand!

36. Yes, Midwives Do Have Lives Outside Of The Job

Image Source / MediumAs with any medical profession, a lot of people can assume it takes up the entire life of a person, with no time for social life (or even sleep most of the time). But midwives had explained that it's not true, and it's possible to socialise along a part time student midwife position, for example.

37. They See Parents 'Born', Too

Image Source / CDCWhen you think about what a midwife does, you think about them being present for the birth of a child. But they also see the 'birth' of a parent! They get to witness that transition from an adult to a parent the moment the child is in their hands.

38. Midwives Get Over Being Squeamish Very Quickly

Image Source / CrimeReadsI mean, you sort of have to, right? A lot of student midwives might go into it being squeamish, and worried that it will stop them from doing their job, but most midwives will get over that very, very quicjly when blood, poop and break milk all become normal!

39. Women Do Poop During Labour - And It's A Good Thing, Apparently

Image Source / EatingWellBeing praised for having a poop? Great stuff! While a lot of women are naturally scarred they'll poop during labour, it's not something to be avoided, apparently. Midwives admit that when a person giving birth pushes out some poo, too, it's just a sign that she's pushing in the correct way!

40. Being A Midwife Isn't All Happy Births And Families

Image Source / Nursing TimesMidwives go through very trying and sad times, too, as to be expected when you're dealing with people, families and newborns. Alongside stillbirths, midwives can be upset by women struggling to breast feed who really want to, or couples who miscarry after trying for so long.

41. Yes, The Job Is Intense (Emotionally And Physically)

Image Source / All4MaternityMidwives get to know people very quickly, which means it becomes more emotional very quickly, too. Midwives often go home thinking about the people they're caring for and check in with them, even if that person isn't in their care anymore. They take the people they meet with them.

42. Breastfeeding Is Never Forced By The Midwife

Image Source / PampersFor those outside the profession, breastfeeding can seem like the goal for newborns, and a lot of media does depict midwives putting a very strong emphasis on how important it is to get breastfeeding - but apparently that's not the case! Midwives support women with whatever way they want to feed.

43. They Actually Wish For A Christmas Miracle: That People Would Stop Having Sex!

Image Source / WikipediaMidwives are run off their feet during the autumnal/coming-up-to-Christmas season, so they actually do wish that people would use protection around the holiday period so that they're not due to have their babies around the September/October rush!

44. Midwives Are Always Crying - For The Best Reasons

Image Source / TwitterMidwives can get just as emotional as the parents, and that's because they care, too - and especially when in a room of a new happy family. Some births can just make certain midwives burst into tears with the emotions of it all - because they care!

45. Student Midwives Are Still Full-Time: Without The Pay

Image Source / THE HOLISTIC MIDWIFEEven though student midwives may not work full time as a midwife while studying, they're still counted as full-time. They work long shifts at their chosen hospitals and work full-time hours when they're studying at university - so they're basically doing a full-time job without getting the pay for it!

46. A Midwife Has To Delivery 40 Babies To Qualify

Image Source / North Carolina Health NewsApparently 39 just won't cut it! To officially qualify as a midwife, a person has to have delivered 40 babies. As well as they, they have to have seen 100 women for antenatal care, and 100 women for post-natal care. They also need experience on neo-natal wards and gynaecological wards, too! And that's not even everything!

47. Most Babies Are Actually Born At Night!

Image Source / HometouchObviously a baby can be born any time of the day, but most of the time, a birth happens during the night. This is because mammals have an instinct to give birth at night, due to oxytocin being produced during night hours which is responsible for stimulating birth.

48. And Midwives Will Help To Replicate Night-Time

Image Source / SleepScoreBecause a person's body is more triggered to give birth during the night hours, midwives may also try to make the birthing room seem like night time even if it isn't. This could include them dimming the lights or playing some soft music to make the mind and body think it's the middle of the night!

49. The Positions Can Be Interesting!

Image Source / All4MaternityIf media is anything to go off, we mainly see a person giving birth on her back in bed, or in a birthing pool. But there are so many positions a woman can get into to give birth! Some might find themselves on the floor or a crazy contortionist position just to give birth in the easiest possible way! And midwives have to work with whatever position that might be.

50. Midwives Love What They Do - Despite Anything Negative

Image Source / BBCEven though the job comes with emotional strain, heartbreak and very demanding hours, as well as a lot of unpaid training, midwives - and student midwives - love what they do, and appreciate the fact that they get to see new families being born every single day!