Hull Midwifery student presented at RCM annual conference

One of our 3rd year student midwives - Melissa Tweddle - presented at the Royal College of Midwives annual conference last week; one of three student midwives in the UK selected to present. The conference was held in Manchester, on 4^th and 5^th October 2018.

Melissa spoke about the idea of having a discussion and listening service available to all women at a time suitable for them (even years after birth) where they can discuss their birth with a midwife, using their maternity notes. This is so that women can understand how events unfolded in their birth experiences, which is aimed to help women who have experienced traumatic births.  A service, such as this, may help reduce anxiety, depression and postpartum-post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (which is estimated to affect around three percent of childbearing women).  It is also hoped that this might reduce secondary tokophobia (a pathological fear of childbirth engendered in women following a previous birth).

Melissa was given the opportunity to talk about her idea with Gill Walton (Chief Executive of the RCM) who was very much in favour of the idea and thought it was needed in all trusts. This is something Melissa would love to see implemented in the future.  Melissa really enjoyed the experience and hopes to do more public speaking in the future.