am i being an old fool

58 is too old. It would not be good for you and it would be worse for the patients. Find something else.

Hi there, it's never too late.
I'm a midwife, I qualified when I was 43, after having 7 kids of my own. I've been qualified for 7 years now and I'm glad I took the plunge - It is the best job in the world :-)
It's a hard course and once qualified you'll likely be working full time and shift work, until you get through your preceptorship training. You may also have to work over the festive period and miss some family occasions, which you might not have considered but if none of the above puts you off then go for it!

I was a midwife.I changed career in my mid forties.My older colleague had two heart attacks, she was in her mid fifties.The stress of being on call3 or 4 nights a week and in addition they would call me if the on call midwife was out was just too much.Also if something went wrong management would look for a scapegoat,usually the midwife. I saw too many friends go through this and realised it was only a matter of time until it was me,so got out before it was.
When a member of the public see the job of a midwife, they think,ooh how lovely.Noonemsees the on calls,worry,have I done everything I could,are my records perfect,can Imsee my next patient on time.The anxiety can be overwhelming.
You need to be physically very fit and emotionally very very well.I loved the job, most rewarding I’ve ever had but if I hadn’t got out it would have killed me.

I'd go for it rather than be left with regrets plus if you qualify at 58yrs will still have at least another 8 or 9 years of working life until your state pension so do something you will enjoy

Go for it, it’s never too late. We are the only thing that stands in our own way. Age is a number. Good luck.

I went back to full time work at 50 , but was so glad to retire again at 60 !
I loved my job , but it was physically exhausting

Being a Doula is wonderful
Less stress & paid more

Hate to be negative, BUT - was a midwife for 40 years, retired at 62. Most of my ex colleagues 10 years younger than me are retiring as soon as they possibly can. Yes you have life skills & experiences which are invaluable as a midwife, but Supporting birthing women is only a tiny percentage of what we do. The job is physically mentally and emotionally gruelling.
You must follow your heart, but please do more research into what it feels like to be a midwife in your late 50s.

Yes, yes, yes!

Go for it.

My first child was stuck. It may have been my first baby, but I knew all wasn't well.

It took an older midwife coming on shift to get things moving. She was quite simply fantastic.

You would bring so much to the job.

Take a deep breath and off you go. Good luck!

Go for it. Just a thought too do they do midwifery apprenticeships as you will already be working in a hospital setting?

You have a lot to give. you should do it.

Another vote from the 'just do it' gang. If you have the time, resource, energy, inclination, aptitude and aspiration then bloomin absolutely! Who knows what the next few years will bring and once qualified the world is your lobster. Wishing you good luck and good health on your next step. Keep us updated x

Oh, absolutely! There are so many women starting over or going for new careers in their 50’s. I’ve always said - “a woman is in her PRIME when she’s in her 50’s!” It’s true.

You’ll be happy and you’ll be successful. I started a new career path when I became 53. You will not regret it.
Much success to you!
USA Gundy

Woohoo do it!

Hi Finns
Go for it
I always wanted to be a police officer Like you gave up on the idea when I married and had a family. Fast forward to when I'm 50. I passed out as a fully pledged officer. My trainers said they had never taught anyone of my age. I met some age discrimination from a few people, but it was definitely worth it. Studies were hard, work was tiring, but enjoyed the experience and no regrets. I had 7 good years then changed rolls.
Go for it or always wonder if you could

You won’t get the state pension until you’re 67 so you’d have over 10 years in the field inc training. That is to be worth it!! Go girl 👧🏻

You need to speak to some midwives who are currently working in the NHS. From what my friend tells me about her daughter who is a midwife, it’s hugely stressful, high degree of responsibility and unsocial shifts. She has been left alone with patients to deliver babies when she should have had a more senior midwife with her. She didn’t have the right A levels to start her degree so slogged through a foundation course beforehand. It’s certainly no walk in the park.

Helping patients is the most rewarding thing in the world,you literally change people’s lives by helping them at a stressful time,you sound perfect for the job.

Thankyou All for your input ! i have tried to respond previously but my posts have vanished !

Thankyou

naughtynanny

This may not be totally PC, but, I'd far rather have a mature MUM, nurse/midwife, with life experience helping me deliver my baby, than someone with a zillion paper qualifications, but who actually doesn't know what I'm going through. Go for it, enjoy this new adventure. Good Luck

I have heard this so many times. In real life it doesn't stand up to scrutiny. I have worked with and mentored many, many young midwives who are intelligent, empathetic and flexible and have great ability to stand in someone else's shoes awhile. I have similarly encountered many who believed that because they had been through the experience of motherhood, they knew and understood it all. Sadly, many of them really did not: they were often rigid in their thinking and not always very kind.

Do it

I started my mental health nurse training when I was 34 and there were plenty of people male and female who were in their 50s doing the same.
People have to work for much longer these days so no way are you to old.
Personally I think women giving birth would prefer someone more mature who has gone through it themselves rather than a young midwife with no experience of going through pregnancy and childbirth.
I would say go for it don’t spend any longer regretting not doing it,
The achievement you feel when you now how much you have helped someone makes you so happy
Good luck 💐

I know someone who started training at 58. Go for it