"Enthusiastic career choice"

Hittin' the Hay After a Wild Ride with Mrs. Stampfer

Yo, so how'd your work day go today, lady? I was all set for a quiet night working from the crib, but a surprise birth call in the middle of the night shook things up. After that, I needed some shut-eye. I'm all about that healthy lifestyle, y'know? I can't afford to be run down, 'cause if I'm out with the homies in the evening, I'm usually knocked out faster than a knocked-out squirrel. And whenever I'm out, I'm always thinking about what I gotta do to back up a delivery in the best way possible.

Got a hotline to deliver, baby?

Every other two weeks, I'm on call as the primary midwife, so my midwife bag and my gym bag are basically my faithful companions. On the other weeks, I'm the secondary midwife, which is a little more laid back. Plus, I ain't out every night. I usually attend around four births per month.

Midwife to the Mother Nation - Sophia Stampfer's Story

Sophia Stampfer has been tending to new lives since she completed her midwifery training in 2015. She's been cruisin' through obstetrics for the past seven years, first in clinics all around Brandenburg and Berlin. But for the past three years, she's been rocking the home birth scene. In 2022, she added another feather to her cap with a Bachelor of Midwifery.

/ Sebastian Haak Steppin' into a Fresh Start For the past year and a half, there's been a delivery room in Thuringia where little ones are making their entrance.
/ Christof Meueler Let It Be, Says Volker Koepp Docs featuring midwifery techniques: Volker Koepp hits the ripe ol' age of 80.
/ Sebastian Haak Long Roads Ahead for Mama-to-Be's Doctors themselves are worried that obstetrics may soon disappear from Thuringia's basic care.

So, what's the 411 on vacay days?

Vacation? That's all about organization and teamwork. Me and my partner midwifeSection think it's crucial to kick it-back with a weekend off each month and take about ten weeks of vacation a year. Other than that, I'm tied to Berlin. Being a midwife may be an idealistic profession, but I absolutely love it.

Got the passion for the midwife gig?

In obstetrics, things can get real situational, and I've found that my presence often helps folks navigate the crazy terrain. And through all the pain and discomfort, there's still a bit of beauty - especially when the birth is over, and the ladies are glowing like they've just won the lottery.

Is Google Mom the new familial midwife?

While people these days can search for all kinds of advice online, I make sure to present my expert insights in a logical, heartfelt manner. Everybody's got their ideas, and I'm just here to offer a helping hand. It can be a bit tricky to work with some gynecologists or clinics, considering the hierarchy. But hey, I can't control how they roll.

A tradition as old as time.

It's a shame that much of the old midwifery knowledge was never written down. And it was often the male docs who penned it down, leaving their mark all over the once-female-dominated techniques. The Nazis conducted some severe experiments on birth and busted up many books. That was rough, but it did mean there was a bit of a drought in knowledge transfer. After the war, there was a wave of mechanical procedures: All women got an enema and a shave, and they weren't allowed to eat anymore. Many midwives didn't have the faintest idea why they were doing it. At the same time, ladies wanted to be modern and gave birth in the clinic. But things got intense: There was this beetle position or the doctors sat between spread legs, just observing the whole birth scene.

Beauty born in chaos.

It's a fine line to balance when you're a midwife: You gotta know the person, and you gotta trust 'em. But sometimes, it's hard to let go and let the ladies guide me. After all, I'm the professional, and that's what they expect from me. A simple example: Probably 90% of ladies during childbirth say they can't go on, but I know what a lady's body can still handle.

Racism in the delivery room?

I've noticed some studies that show racism can have a negative impact on obstetrics and the care of women. At the start of my career as a midwife, I experienced some mocking on the postpartum ward, like making fun of homosexual couples or people of color. But I think that awareness is on the rise, and care is starting to become more culturally sensitive.

Everybody gets a midwife, right?

It depends on where and how you're birthing. The number of delivery rooms has dropped significantly in recent decades. And it's tough to find midwives who attend home births in some areas, even though ladies are free to choose their birth site. Many midwives leave the profession due to poor working conditions. But on the bright side, at least 80 to 160 new midwives are being trained in Berlin every year. The decline in births isn't helping, though.

Don't forget the premiums, sister!

The insurance premiums for out-of-hospital obstetrics, which includes birth houses, birth attendants, and home birth care, can skyrocket over 10,000 euros per year! That's a pretty penny, and I'm not even the highest on the totem pole. It's a struggle, man. And there are other burdens, like verbal, physical, and inappropriate behavior that can seem related to the high-stress situation.

Everyday battles.

It's real tough to be a midwife. We don't get paid what we're worth, and we're usually working two jobs just to make ends meet. But at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade it for anything - because I'm helping to create a new life. That's something I'll always be grateful for.

[1] IM-Berlin: International Midwifery[2] Arbeitskraftmangel in Deutschland 2022[3] Umweltimpakt der Deutschen Gesundheitswirtschaft[4] Hilti Zuschussregelung 2023

While ensuring a healthy lifestyle is essential, it's equally crucial to prioritize mental health in one's daily routine, especially in high-stress careers like midwifery.
Embracing a holistic approach to wellness can help midwives maintain both physical and mental fitness, ultimately leading to improved workplace wellness.
Advocating for women's health is a vital aspect of the midwifery profession. A midwife should be well-versed in issues related to women's health and parenting, promoting health and wellness throughout each stage of a woman's life.
To excel in the profession, a midwife must invest in education and self-development. Pursuing higher education and engaging in continuous learning can help midwives stay updated on the latest developments in the industry, contributing to personal growth and career advancement.
Financial management is an essential skill for any midwife, given the high costs associated with out-of-hospital obstetrics. By managing one's finances effectively, midwives can ensure they have the resources they need to provide the best care for their clients.
Most importantly, a midwife must be dedicated to business and careers ethics. With a client-centered approach that prioritizes respect, empathy, and understanding, midwives can help create a supportive and nurturing environment for their clients – ultimately promoting health and wellness in the broader community.