Being a midwife in 2025: A job of passion and challenges

‍1. Path and vocation

I started with PASES (the first year of health studies in France), which includes several tracks: medicine, midwifery, dentistry, physiotherapy and pharmacy. After that shared first year, you choose your specialty. I had always wanted to work in healthcare, but I was hesitating between medicine and midwifery. At first, I joined the midwifery program somewhat by default, since I hadn’t been accepted into medicine on my first try. A year later, I got the chance to switch back to medicine, but by then I realized how much I enjoyed midwifery. I truly loved what I was learning and felt good about the path I was on. So I decided to stay and today I know it was the right choice.

When did you know you wanted to become a midwife? Was it a calling or something that came with time?

‍I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare. It was a real calling. But choosing midwifery happened gradually, shaped by the opportunities and experiences I encountered. Looking back, I can see that this career fits me perfectly, but it wasn’t obvious from the start. I realized along the way that this is what I was meant to do.

The path to becoming a midwife is known to be demanding. What were the toughest moments for you?

‍One of the hardest parts was accepting that I wouldn’t become a doctor. It was frustrating at first, but over time I understood that this was actually the best decision for me. Then there’s the pace of the studies. Our lifestyle is very different from other students: between internships, night shifts, and classes, it can be hard to balance everything, find time for loved ones, and maintain some kind of balance. There’s also the pressure that comes with the job. You have to be precise, attentive and develop strong clinical judgment while creating a bond of trust with each patient. It’s not always easy, but that’s also what makes the job so fascinating.

Was there an experience or a specific internship that marked you the most during your studies?

‍Yes, without hesitation: my first experience in the delivery room. That was a turning point. I witnessed my first births, helped bring babies into the world, and realized that this was exactly what I wanted to do. Every internship taught me something, but that one really confirmed my choice. I also had the chance to meet inspiring midwives and doctors who strengthened my motivation.

How was your transition from studies to actual practice? Did you feel well prepared?

‍One of the great things about this program is that we get hands-on experience very early on. From the second year, we start internships in different hospital departments, so by the time we begin working, we’re already quite familiar with the reality of the field. That said, the first solo shift is still a milestone. That’s when you truly realize the weight of your responsibilities. Thankfully, you’re never completely alone, and every experience teaches you something new.

2. Practicing as a midwife

How would you describe your day-to-day work as a young midwife?

‍Our work rhythm is quite unique. I usually work 12-hour shifts, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., about three to four times a week. It takes some adjusting, but you get used to it. The upside is having more free time between shifts to rest, see friends, or go to the gym. At the hospital, our missions vary depending on the department. We can work in the delivery room, the emergency ward, postpartum care, high-risk pregnancies or consultations. This variety makes the job incredibly engaging. No two days are the same and every shift brings new challenges.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your work today?

‍The hardest part isn’t necessarily the schedule, but managing patients and their families. There’s a lot of emotion and stress around childbirth and some parents struggle to stay calm, especially when things move fast. You need to reassure them without letting your own stress show, find the right words to explain what’s happening clearly and stay fully present. Balancing all that is a constant challenge.

Do you feel the strain of staff shortages and limited resources in the public sector?

‍Yes, especially in public hospitals. Things have improved a bit since the tough post-Covid years, when many healthcare workers quit due to burnout. We now have more midwives and nurses, which helps limit overtime, but it’s still tight. The lack of resources remains a major issue: outdated facilities, insufficient equipment, limited supplies. We often have to make do with what we have. There’s also the constant pressure that comes with responsibility. We deal with human lives, and that weight never goes away. Thankfully, the profession is gaining recognition. For a long time, midwives were seen as secondary to gynecologists, but that’s changing. Thanks to social media, people are becoming more aware of the scope of our skills. Many still don’t know that we can handle full gynecological follow-ups (outside of major pathologies), which is a growing part of our work.

What has changed the most in recent years?

‍Technically, not much, apart from the digitization of medical records. That has made some things easier but also brings its own issues, especially when systems crash. I remember one night, we had ten delivery rooms full and only three midwives on shift. A new patient came in, but there was no space, so we handled the delivery in the operating room. Within an hour, we’d already delivered seven babies. Then at 4 a.m., the computers went down. No access to patient files, no medical history, nothing. We had to write everything by hand and catch up later. One woman asked for an epidural, but without her test results, we had to wake up the anesthetist and hope the lab could rerun the analyses in time.

Have patient expectations evolved?

‍Definitely. With social media, patients are much more informed, though sometimes misinformed. Certain ideas circulate online that don’t always apply medically. For example, delayed cord clamping is often presented as universally beneficial for babies, but in emergencies, it’s not always feasible. It can be frustrating to explain why some things can’t go as planned. But overall, this evolution is positive. Patients are more involved, ask great questions, and know what they want. It creates genuine dialogue and shared decision-making, which benefits everyone.

3. A job that keeps evolving

With the rise of digital tools and new technologies, how do you see the future of your job?

‍Things are already changing, especially with teleconsultations, which make healthcare more accessible for patients far from hospitals. But some aspects of our work will always stay the same. Whether a birth happens naturally or by C-section, it will always be an intensely human and physical experience. Technology can support us, but it will never replace the presence and care a midwife provides.

Do you use digital tools in your daily work?

‍Yes, especially for patient tracking in hospitals. We use software shared across public institutions, which keeps improving. Telemedicine is also expanding, mainly in gynecology, for contraception, prevention, or STI consultations. In obstetrics, though, its use is still limited since pregnancy follow-ups require physical exams and technical procedures. For newborn care, digital tools are multiplying: tracking apps, connected baby monitors, sleep sensors. These innovations really help new parents and allow them to stay connected with healthcare professionals. Midwives also handle general gynecological care, from contraception to endometriosis and prevention. Thanks to telemedicine, some consultations can now be done remotely, avoiding unnecessary travel. On the private practice side, platforms like Doctolib make it easier for patients to find a midwife based on specific expertise, whether in obstetrics or gynecology.

Are there any misconceptions about the profession that you’d like to correct?

‍Yes, the main one is thinking that midwives are gynecologists’ assistants. That’s not true. We have real medical expertise in gynecology and have been providing full patient follow-ups for over ten years. It’s not a “subprofession” but a complementary one, with its own training and responsibilities.

The way young professionals view work is changing. Do you see yourself doing this all your life, or are there other paths you’d like to explore?

‍I love my job, and for now, I can’t imagine doing anything else. But long term, I don’t think I’ll stay in the hospital forever. Night shifts don’t bother me now, but depending on my personal life, I could see myself moving into private practice or a mixed setup between hospital and private work. The great thing about this profession is how flexible it is. You can adjust your career to fit your lifestyle. One note though: in private practice, midwives don’t perform deliveries. They handle pregnancy follow-ups, postpartum care and gynecology. Births take place in hospitals or clinics. Home births exist but aren’t for me due to the risks tied to limited equipment. A promising but still little-known alternative is birthing centers. These are non-medical settings connected to hospitals, where midwives assist with natural births without epidurals. If complications arise, transfer is immediate. This model is still rare in France but is growing among women who want a more natural yet safe experience.

4. Looking ahead and advice for future midwives

What advice would you give someone considering this career? And are there men in the profession?

‍Yes, there are, and they’re also called midwives! Many people don’t realize that the term “sage-femme” in French refers to the patient, not the professional. For those who prefer, the word “maïeuticien” can be used, which comes from “maieutics,” the art of guiding birth. Men still represent only about 3 percent of the profession, but the number is growing. My advice to anyone considering this path would be to remember that it’s above all a human, relationship-driven job. You have to genuinely enjoy contact with patients and know how to listen. If you’re unsure, spend time in the field: do an internship in a hospital, clinic or private practice to see what it’s really like. Don’t hesitate to give it a try. Healthcare careers are always rewarding and open many doors if you ever want to pivot later.

If you could go back, would you choose the same path again?

‍Absolutely, without a doubt. Those years of study were intense but incredibly enriching. I learned so much, experienced unforgettable moments and met wonderful people. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Where do you see yourself and the profession in five or ten years?

‍I’m not sure exactly where my journey will take me, but I mainly hope to keep feeling fulfilled in my work. Maybe one day I’ll open my own practice or join a private clinic. That would allow me to grow my skills and diversify my work while staying close to my patients. Professionally, I hope to see better recognition of our role and more birthing centers opening across France. The profession evolves slowly, but it’s moving in the right direction.

What keeps you motivated despite the challenges?

‍Above all, it’s the patients. Every day, I accompany women through one of the most powerful moments in their lives. Being there to listen, reassure and help them live their pregnancy and childbirth peacefully is deeply fulfilling. It’s meaningful work that gives back so much on a human level.

Conclusion

If there’s one thing to take away from all this, it’s that being a midwife is first and foremost a profession of passion. Despite the challenges, it’s a deeply fulfilling career filled with emotion, humanity and purpose. I feel truly grateful to be doing this job.

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See you soon!