How do you get a career in midwifery?

Answer 1

A way of finding out what qualifications or grades you need to be successful on getting on to a midwifery course is to look it up in your local university or the university/ies you would like to go to. That way you find out your entry requirements and are able to work backwards rather than being clueless working forward.

Alternatively you can look it up on NHS Choices, Connexions, contact local colleges or

call direct.go.uk.

Remember:- Midwifery is not about babies!! It is about the care of a woman and her family throughout the periods of her pregnancy.

The majority of universities run a 3 year midwifery course (each varying in topics studied) which is paid for by the government and allows a means-tested bursary too. The course is a degree course and when you have completed the course you are registered with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council).

Good places to look for in depth information on Midwifery are;

Emmas Diary, The NMC website or NMC journals, RMC (Royal Midwifery Council) website, NHS, Channel4.co.uk/born, Connexions, Universities, Volunteer work on midwifery wards and speaking to GP Midwives. Also there is a programme on channel 4 called 'one born every minute' and a few programmes on Discovery Home & Health. Speaking to new mums can also help with giving information on their experiences with a midwife and their views on what a midwife is.

Always think outside the box, research independent midwives (email them, 9 times out of 10 they email back), community midwives, antenatal and postnatal periods, symptoms of pregnancy, infertility, problems that can occur, holistic therapies, women centred care etc etc etc....

I have recently applied to several universities for midwifery. I have 10 grade A-C GCSE's, a grade DMM BTEC National Health and Social Care Diploma (Level 3) and varied experience within the NHS from paid work to volunteer work.

Hope this information helps and Good Luck if you decide to go into the career!