Alternative Jobs for Midwives

Interested in alternative jobs for midwives? Our guide looks at the options available to those people who have qualified as a midwife but want to use their qualifications to land a different job.

On completing a midwifery degree, all midwives working in the UK must register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). Midwives are in high demand across the UK and always have been. And with high vacancy rates in the NHS, becoming a midwife is a solid career choice. There are plenty of opportunities for work in both the public and private sectors.

That being said, a recent study found that 67% of UK midwives report suffering from work-related burnout. Many of them are on the lookout for career change jobs for midwives that will allow them to put their qualifications to good use in a less stressful working environment.

Skills of a Midwife

Midwives are dedicated to providing advice, care and support for pregnant people and their babies. They are involved in the whole process from pregnancy to labour to early postnatal care. Included in the job, midwives work with pregnant people to help them decide on the care and services that best suit their needs. They will also educate parents and offer advice up until the point when care is transferred to a health advisor.

All of this requires midwives to have an understanding and caring attitude. They must have excellent emotional and mental strength, with the ability to get on with people from a wide range of backgrounds. On top of this, they should be patient and be able to empathise with each of their patients.

These are highly sought-after skills that can be easily transferred to a variety of other jobs.

Alternative Careers for Midwives

For those midwives who are looking to make a change but want to continue to use their degree, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best jobs for midwives.

Childbirth Educator

A childbirth educator provides education and support to people who are planning on having a baby. Think of it like a midwife who only deals with the educational and advice part of pregnancy.

Fertility Nurse

Your degree in midwifery will also allow you to become a fertility nurse. You will care for and consult with individuals, couples, and families in areas that concern reproductive health and fertility. It is, however, necessary to have 2 years of experience in nursing pregnant patients.

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (O&G)

Midwives work closely with O&Gs during the childbirth process. However, O&Gs are medical doctors, meaning they are also surgically trained and can perform C-Sections. If you want to make the move to become an O&G, you will need to study for a 4-year postgraduate degree in medicine.

Birth Photographer

On the other hand, if you’d like to take a further step away from midwifery but remain within the field, a job as a birth photographer might be something you’d be interested in. Granted, you may need to retrain but your knowledge of the birthing process would set you apart from the crowd.

Finding Alternative Jobs for Midwives

Refreshing a Career’s live jobs board is the perfect place to find alternative careers for midwives. Whether you’re thinking about retraining as an adult or simply need some help and advice, we’ve got all the information you need.

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