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University of Hertfordshire > Apply > Schools of study > Health and Social Work > Course subject areas > Midwifery > Midwifery (pre-registration)
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Midwifery (pre-registration)

Midwifery

We educate over 40 pre-registration student midwives every year and an equivalent number at postgraduate level.

Choose from:

Undergraduate courses

Short courses

We also have a range of short courses for professionals who are interested in refreshing their knowledge and skills or just want to stay on top of new developments in midwifery.

More information about our midwifery short courses

Overview

What is midwifery?

Midwifery2

Midwives hold a unique position in the healthcare professions, providing an invaluable service caring for women and their families both during and after pregnancy - literally meeting someone new every day!

What does it involve?

Midwifery offers a rewarding and challenging career. As a midwife you will be the lead person in providing advice, care and support for women, and their families before, during and after childbirth. Support continues from the confirmation of the pregnancy through the post-natal period.

What personal attributes does a midwife require?

  • Excellent communication skills
  • The ability to relate to people from a wide range of social, educational, racial and religious backgrounds and to respect their needs
  • A kind, caring and empathic personality
  • The ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Strong advocacy skills
  • A reflective, analytical approach to learning
  • A calm and alert manner, especially in stressful situations
  • The ability to react quickly and effectively to changing situations.

Where can midwives work?

  • Antenatal clinics
  • Hospital labour wards
  • The community and women’s homes
  • Free-standing birth units
  • Hospital postnatal wards
  • Day assessment units
  • Community clinics and GP surgeries
  • Research and education
  • Neonatal units

Typical work activities

  • Diagnosing, monitoring and examining women during pregnancy
  • Providing full antenatal care
  • Assisting mothers in labour - monitoring the condition of mother and baby, facilitating normal birth etc
  • Working alongside other professionals to manage any medical conditions or emergencies that arise
  • Caring for mother and baby during the postnatal period
  • Offering support/advice about breastfeeding

Career options

As a midwife you will hold a degree recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Once qualified your training needn’t stop there. Midwifery offers the opportunity for life-long learning and continued development.

In this profession you will have the opportunity to specialise in a specific area of knowledge. These may include:

  • breast feeding 
  • parent education
  • teenage pregnancy
  • antenatal screening
  • child protection
  • HIV
  • sexual health
  • diabetes

Midwives are able to work in a number of different healthcare settings to develop experience and knowledge, leading to a range of career paths including: 

  • consultant midwife
  • supervisor of midwives
  • midwifery education
  • research

Midwives in England are usually employed by NHS hospitals and acute trusts, foundation trusts, or through primary care trusts working in GP practices or the community.

Other employers include:

  • private hospitals
  • independent practices
  • the armed forces

 

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