Call the Midwifery Student

The Continuity of Care Experience Program. Supporting your pregnancy. Supporting our future midwives.

Flinders University is committed to developing the next generation of midwives through the 'Call the Midwifery Student' program - connecting pregnant women with midwifery students through the journey of childbirth.

In Australia, midwifery students are required to follow women throughout their pregnancy, birth and after birth as part of their education. This is always undertaken under the direct supervision of a registered midwife or doctor.

Through the continuity of care experience, students learn the value of woman-centred care by forming professional partnerships that enables them to provide care that is unique to each woman's needs.

Why should I ‘Call the Midwifery Student’?

Benefit from the care of a dedicated midwifery student who will offer you support throughout your antenatal, birthing and postnatal experience.
Develop a strong one-on-one relationship with a designated midwifery student to create a more positive and reassuring birthing experience.
Receive care that is focused on your individual needs, expectations and aspirations. Midwifery students are passionate to share their knowledge and can be a great source of information.

Developing our next generation of midwives

Through the "continuity of care experience” students are able to develop their knowledge first-hand, learning about women’s experiences during pregnancy.

By participating in our program you will enable our students to:

Better understand what midwifery is about and how they can work more effectively with pregnant women.
Learn that midwifery care involves a partnership between the woman and the midwife.
Develop their practice in order to provide care that is holistic in terms of addressing a woman’s social, emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual and cultural needs.
Prepare them to work in a variety of models of care once they are registered midwives. Importantly, they get to understand a variety of perspectives and ways of thinking that is very important when caring for women and their families.

Having a midwifery student made me feel a lot more relaxed about the pregnancy and birth process as I knew I'd have someone familiar with me the whole time.

Sam, Participant

Finding a midwifery student is easy

You may meet midwifery students through your social networks or during your pregnancy care. Your midwife or doctor may also suggest that you consider a midwifery student to provide you with additional care and support. There is however, no need to wait and you can register your interest here.

Your choices and maternity care will not be affected in any way. You are in charge and can decide what you want to share with the student. The students follow clear professional ethics and are required to maintain confidentiality and professional conduct at all times. You can change your mind about having a student at any time.

Complete Expression of Interest form

If you would like to have a midwifery student provide continuity of care throughout your pregnancy and birth experience, please fill in the Expression of Interest form.

Student allocation

Once you have submitted this form, the COCE Coordinator from Flinders University will allocate you a student.

Student meeting

The midwifery student will contact you via phone or email and arrange to meet with you. A good way to do this is to organise to meet 30 minutes before your next antenatal appointment. You might like to come with some questions for the student and also share something about yourself and your ideas about what you are expecting for this pregnancy and birth.

Complete student authorisation form

Once you have met the student you will be asked to complete a form which indicates that you have agreed for this student to follow you through your pregnancy and birth experience.