These archives contain extracts from discussions held on the UK Midwives and Consumers email list, a discussion group for people interested in midwifery in the UK. Open to midwives, students, mothers, and anyone interested in improving maternity services in UK. Posts in these archives express the views of the individual authors, and not those of the Association of Radical Midwives.
Can anyone tell me what their procedure is for changing midwife.
We have recently had a spate of women who have requested change of midwife - for no real reason.. As a very small group of 10 (8 wholetime equivalents) this is beginning to be a problem.
Thank you
If a woman wants to change her midwife, you need to know from her if she has any preference. Sounds like one of your number is not as popular as the others and this is a difficult issue to tackle, but it must be done.
As an independent midwife I have been 'sacked', after the birth actually, but I was dismissed. It is not a pleasant experience, but there are all sorts of reasons why. Also, women choosing independents will often interview several before 'choosing' who they want. I do not have a problem with this at all. Indeed, I did attend a woman who had chosen my partner, as second midwife. She knew what she wanted, and she got the lead midwife she chose. In small groups this can cause hurt and can cause aggravation, but it does need to be addressed.
A midwife who is struggling for whatever reason needs the support and love
of her colleagues to assist her if she is in a rut, or having difficulties.
Also, if we as independents feel we would not work well with someone, we may
choose not to be employed by that person. If the relationship is not going to
work for either party, the birth is less likely to go well. I know of community
midwives who are very popular in teams where there are midwives who are not
so popular and this is difficult for everyone, but releasing a midwife from
the responsibility of HAVING to take on a home birth for example, will de-stress
the midwife and relieve the women. Not fair, and not easy, but it can be workable.
Regards,
Debs
Hmmmm - I know that even as a rather assertive person - and one who has worked
for the NHS for 20 years to boot - I would find it really quite difficult to
ask for a change of midwife. I'd have to be very cheesed off and unhappy - and
fearful for my birth - to go as far as to request a change of midwife. Most
women put up with the most appalling load of nonsense from their care-givers
rather than rock the boat and cause possible offence by saying "This person
really will not do". Are you *sure* that there is "no real
reason"? Maybe somebody needs some more up-dating or support or people-skills
or *something* ?? I can well imagine that the situation would cause problems,
though - and hurt feelings, and I hope you get to the bottom of it.
Brenda
We were having a class on ethics today and the tutor brought up the subject of a woman requesting in her birth plan that she only have a white midwife. A debate arose on whether this is discrimination or whether it is just another choice for the woman. One of the students said this has also happened when she was on Labour Ward where there were no white midwives on duty at that time and the manager asked her to look after the woman and she refused.
I think I read somewhere that this was discrimination but I'm not sure, does anyone know or have any thoughts on this subject? And if a manager does give a woman this choice, is this colluding with discrimination?
How does this compare to a woman refusing to have a male midwife? Would that
also come under the umbrella of discrimination?
We are a small group of independent midwives who work in a very loose arrangement with each other and so negotiate this kind of thing all the time. We accept that different people need different things from their midwife and different personalities work differently together.
If a woman comes to me or contacts a colleague wishing to change from my care (it has happened now twice) then I wish her well, ensure she has a copy of tests done to date and suggest that she contacts my colleagues and offer to do so for her (particularly if she has a reason for wishing to change...ie I don't generally support elective epidurals and state that from the outset...two of my colleagues do so and would be more appropriate if that is the care that the woman wishes). We all use women-held notes systems so no need to photocopy notes etc.
I've also had referrals from my colleagues with women who wish to change from them...swings and roundabouts. Interestingly the two women who have shifted from my care have both opted for GP care and ended up with c/s...co-incidence? We also negotiate this when we take time off (certain women not wanting certain midwives) and when arranging second midwife/back up midwife.
Annemarie
LW updated June 4, 2005