The reality of being a Student Midwife: Chaos, community, and Oreo brownies
I’m Beth, a third-year Midwifery student here at the University of Worcester.
If I had to describe my life right now, it would be: chaotic but incredibly rewarding.
The midwifery course, like other healthcare courses, can be a balancing act between academic and clinical placement requirements. I couldn’t manage the madness without my Worcester ‘village’!
My placement routine
Placement shifts can be emotional and tiring. We take care of new families, welcoming their babies into the world while working 12.5-hour shifts in hospitals, theatres, and people's homes. It’s often difficult to quiet my mind once I get home! Before I can even think about showering or eating, I need to have my debrief.
My flatmates are my absolute rocks – the first people I see when I walk through the door, ready to listen as I offload the day’s events. Between them and my parents cheering me on from a distance, I have a support network which helps me through some early mornings and are there for me whenever I need a motivation boost!
Another important part of my placement routine is making sure my bag is always packed with my placement and personal essentials.
What’s in my bag?
- Midwifery Gear: My fob watch (given to me by my nan) and my stethoscope (from my grandparents). Having these with me reminds me of why I started this journey in the first place. I also always have my MORA with me! (Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement – or, back breaker as it’s heavy!)
- Sweet Treats: I usually have whatever I’ve baked that week – Oreo brownies are my speciality! When I’m low on time, I’ll have some chocolate or a box of biscuits. I find snacks are a great way to bond with the midwives and other staff!
- The Essentials: About ten spare pens (because they always go missing), a power bank, many hairbands and a water bottle!
Finding my ‘Midwife legs’
The small wins are what make this degree worth it. I’ll never forget the first time I led a community midwifery visit. My supervisor just stood back and watched; she didn't need to jump in or help once. In that moment, I didn't feel like a student anymore – I felt like a midwife.
Life on campus: The Hive and hash browns
When we are on lecture blocks, most of our time is spent at St John’s campus, but occasionally we have skills and simulation at Severn Campus. When we have a break between lectures, you’ll usually find my cohort at the Elgar Kitchen. Their hash browns are a legendary part of our diet – they’ve gotten us through some very long mornings!
My favourite place to study is The Hive. I always sit in the midwifery section – partly for the books, but mostly because I like watching the trains go past the bridge while I work. For a more cosy session, I love Coffee#1, but if I need a ‘switch-off’, I love the vibes at Café Columbia.
A Tight-Knit Community
Now that we’re in our third year, my cohort has become incredibly close. We’ve gone through everything together, and I know many of these people will be lifelong friends.
Our Midwifery Society (MidSoc) is a huge part of that. We come together to raise money for charity, celebrate International Day of the Midwife, and – most importantly – go out for meals where we can just be ourselves and laugh.
I have also been part of the Music society and the Christian Union as part of my time at the University of Worcester – I love the way that I have got to know people from across the university and learn what other students study like, creative writing, medical sciences, occupational therapy and art!
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about Midwifery at Worcester, just know that while it can be a wild experience, you are never doing it alone. The university and all the wonderful people around me have helped me feel part of the student body instead of ‘just’ a student midwife. Throughout your experience at the university, you’ll have a cohort that becomes family, tutors who understand the pressure, and a city that feels like home.