“I still felt like a student at first.” Stories of beginnings

This chapter explores the emotional and professional journey of newly qualified midwives as they transition from student to practitioner in free-standing birth centres. Through their experiences, this chapter examines how mentorship, rather than mere supervision and learning by doing, plays a vital role in fostering confidence, skill development, and a sense of belonging. It highlights how supportive, team-based mentorship can offer a powerful counterbalance to the hierarchical models often encountered during hospital training. Early feelings of uncertainty and hesitation were met with patient mentorship, allowing newly qualified midwives to build trust in themselves and within their teams.