My question is mainly directed to those who are or have been in the medical field, particularly midwifery.
I’m currently pregnant with my second (and last) child, I will be 30 when they are born.
Taking into account the next few years of raising them as toddlers and beginning school, I will probably be around 33/34 by the time I would be able to get back to a career.
In recent years, I have really felt a calling towards midwifery, especially since having my first born. Is being in your 30’s just too late to try and pursue this? I have zero medical background so would be starting from scratch if I were to look into study.
My husband is also a shift worker, so I have thought about the fact that having 2 parents as shift workers would affect time with our children to an extent.
What are your thoughts? How long is degree? What are work prospects like in field?
Too late to be a midwife?
Too late to be a midwife?
Posted in:
Education
7 Replies
I have a student midwife following me through my 5th pregnancy at the moment. She has 3 kids herself and is in her mid 40s. She is amazing, kind and most importantly has birth before so she understands. It’s never to late to start something new.
It's not too late, at all. I have a couple of mum friends who have pursued this field of study since having kids, and I considered it myself (and for several reasons, didn't go ahead). I personally think it's really great to have experience of pregnancy and birth to be one. I don't think it's as easy to empathise with the life-changing experience of becoming a parent (whether it's the first time or the 20th time) without having gone through it.
Depending on your location you'll have a possible choice of two options - study Nursing then Midwifery, or study straight Midwifery. While I don't know how true it is, I've heard that those who do nursing first have better employment opportunities.
You can do it I am in last year of it and have 2 kids under 6 started when youngest was one .. if you have the calling the universe and you will make it happen
Never ever too late to pursue your calling. It's a fulfillment you need to have in your life story.
Never to late , I know someone who didn't get their teaching degree till about 45. Also my best friend just finished her nursing at nearly 32 with goals to become a midwife but has put that on hold for a year or 2 until she goes back and does another year of University to become a midwife.
No way! I reckon the perfect age and you have first hand experience with babies. I have no time for the YOUNG (key word) midwives without their own children. They literally tell you everything from a textbook and don’t actually understand how it feels and I think being so fragile as mum’s it’s important to be able to relate to a mum on a very personal level! GO FOR IT!!!
It is doable but will be hard, I suggest doing your RNs and then Midwifery which would total 4 years full time. Better job opportunities though (I know midwives who hardly get work because they dont have a dual registration). Study consist of 4/6 week placements 2x a year. Which means hubby would need to take time off if you dont have a babysitter family to help or older more independent kids. Once qualified you have to apply and literally fight for a new grad position (limited spots for a hospital to take you on). As a nurse myself I cannot stress the importance balancing shiftwork, overtime when things dont go to plan and childcare between you and hubby it's a stressful yet very rewarding job that thrives of a good routine and a great support network.