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Midwife

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Midwife

Midwife Career Details

Midwives care for and support pregnant women, their partners and babies, before, during and after the birth. Some midwives give pre-conception advice, however, they usually support the mother after pregnancy has been confirmed.

Their work includes: monitoring the health of the mother and baby with physical examinations and ultrasound scanners; counselling the mother on issues such as healthy eating or giving up smoking; and explaining the mother’s options, for example, regarding natural childbirth, pain controlling drugs, hospital or home delivery.

Midwives run antenatal and parenting classes which involves teaching expectant and new parents the essential skills needed to care for their baby. They look after the mother and baby during labour and birth, and for one month after the birth. They also advise on breast feeding.

Working Environment

Midwives in the NHS work 37.5 hours a week on a shift basis. This includes evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays. Flexible and part-time working is likely to be available.

Midwives work in hospital maternity units, GP surgeries, health centres, clinics, and in the homes of patients.

Midwives working in some NHS trusts will split their time between working in the community and working in hospitals. In other trusts, midwives are rotated every six months between ante-natal, delivery, post-natal and community settings. Community midwives usually need a driving licence.

Midwife Related Skills

To be a midwife, you should:
  • be able to relate to people from different backgrounds
  • be able to build up trust with women and their families and help mothers to feel confident and in control
  • be able to explain processes to people who have no medical knowledge
  • be able to stay calm in stressful circumstances
  • be able to make decisions and work on your own initiative
  • respect the mother’s wishes about how and where to have her baby unless it is dangerous to do so
  • have the knowledge and authority to call in extra help if needed
  • be flexible and adaptable.

Midwife Career Opportunities

The NHS is the largest employer of midwives, but there are some opportunities in private hospitals and clinics and in the armed forces. There are some opportunities to be self-employed and to practise independently in accordance with NMC guidelines.

There are opportunities to work overseas especially in developing countries.

Prospects for promotion are good; there are new midwife consultant posts at the top of the profession. There are also opportunities to move into education and training.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Midwife related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

Not quite sure about a career as a Midwife? Try our step-by-step career guide to reaching your chosen career.

Career Courses

Not quite qualified to be a Midwife? Take a look at Training Midwife courses, Postgraduate Midwife courses, Undergraduate Midwife courses, our course browses or use our search form and find courses which will help you on your chosen career path.