Coventry University Midwifery Society

Good luck to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd years! And congratulations to the newly qualified midwives who are graduating soon🤍🤍

It’s nearly time for the new academic year to begin👀

Here are some basic essentials for our new first years!!

• A7 pocket notebook to write important information, questions and areas of uncertainty on placement •

• Pens!! You’ll always start a shift with five and finish with one (if you’re lucky!) so make sure you’re stocked up! •

• Placement shoes - the best investment you’ll make! After a 13 hour shift on your feet, a good pair of shoes will make all the difference! (Please ensure shoes follow the uniform policy of your trust) •

• emergency kit - spare underwear, tights, sanitary items. You never know when you’ll get covered in liquor, vomit or blood so a spare pair is always handy! •

• A trusty laptop, again a great investment for lengthy assignments. The last thing you want is for your laptop to crash halfway through! •

• Fob watch - needed everyday on placement and during clinical skills, plus makes you feel the part! •

Let us know if there are any other essentials you would recommend!

The dreaded proficiencies!

We all know how overwhelming getting proficiencies signed whether that’s 60%, 80% or 100% required!

Here are some top tips to help make the process easier!

We got a message a few days ago asking about preparing proficiencies prior to a shift as shared on our story a few weeks ago. This is a really helpful well to get more organised and ensure that you are getting a decent amount of proficiencies signed per shift! I would usually expect to get more proficiencies signed off over three nights than pictured however for the sake of this post I kept it short and simple. As mentioned, focus on the broad proficiencies such as making a welcoming environment at first while you’re still finding your feet. Then when you feel more confident in your skills get the more specific proficiencies signed as demonstrated or discussed when you come across them or feel you know what your actions would be.

Comment below any of your top tips when it comes to proficiencies!

The stark reality from the 2022 MBRRACE report that black women are 3.7x more likely, Asian women 1.8x more likely and mixed ethnicity women 1.3x more likely to die in pregnancy means that change must be imminent. While systemic factors influence this statistic, personal bias and lack of education also contribute to this inequality.

The Mind the Gap handbook shows what medical issues such as wound infection and jaundice look like on black and brown women and babies. Educating yourself on this means faster intervention for your patients and aids in the reduction of health inequalities. As a student midwife I have found this handbook helpful in identifying conditions and I would highly recommend that all healthcare staff familiarise themselves with it!

The handbook is free and is linked below (copy and paste) or alternatively is linked in the Mind the Gap highlight of the Instagram page

https://www.blackandbrownskin.co.uk/mindthegap

*NOT sponsored or endorsed*

Midwifery society hoodies are now available - perfect for placement especially during winter!🥶

How to order:
1. Head to mini site (link in bio) and scroll to hoodie section

2. Click link to explore colours and sizes

3. Email [email protected] with your colour, size and personalisation choice

🚨Orders must be placed by 30th November🚨

Please feel free to DM with any queries🥰

On a serious note… the state of maternity services is extremely concerning and worrying. As a group of student midwives it is terrifying to read that 96% will experience mental health issues and only 1 in 30 will carry on with the career. It is imperative that we do not become complacent with this treatment. An important part of our job is advocating for birthing people, however in order to provide a good quality of care we must advocate for ourselves and our working conditions.

Join us on Sunday 20th November to at the Lady Godiva statue in Coventry city centre

And that’s a wrap on the bake sale!!!🍰🧁

Thank you so much to everyone who made cakes and those who bought them to support us!

We raised over £200 (!!) for (exact total to be confirmed)

Confirmation of the bake sale!

📍Alison Gingell Building foyer
⏰ 11am-2pm (cake drop off at 10:30)

Please show your support, all funds go to

WANT TO JOIN THE COMMITTEE? The midwifery society is opening nominations for an events officer 31/10/22 9am

PLEASE NOTE: you must be a fully paid member to apply for the role and vote!!

Please message if you want more information on the role🫶

Calling all cake enthusiasts! (who isn’t?) The Midwifery Society is hosting a bake sale 9th November 11-2!! (More info to come)🧁

Bakers, it’s time to channel your inner Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood👀 bakes donated to the sale would be VERY appreciated! Please note, all bakes MUST BE NUT FREE!! And an allergen sheet must be filled in at drop off to make sure everyone stays safe🥰

All proceeds will go to Sophia Pregnancy Loss Support. As student midwives, or with an interest in midwifery, we understand that pregnancy loss is a part of the job none of us look forward to. We are unsure of what to say or do to support a family experiencing a pregnancy loss but this charity provides emotional support from those who have also experienced a loss.

Please be patient as we confirm the location, we will have more information very soon!❤️

The buddy system👭

When speaking to the previous first years (now second years) a general consensus was that they wished they had personal support from a named person during their first year. So we listened and we are now implementing the buddy system!

We aim to have a ‘mentor’ for each first year who wants to sign up to provide support, advice and a hug when needed. If this is something you are interested in please email:

[email protected]