*sniff* I can not actually find the words to say how much members of this site mean to me. Through the very best and recently very worst of times you have all been there...i have been very lucky to have met some of you in real life and am looking forward to meeting the rest of you very soon

Many a time over the past few months I've needed help/advice with stuff and the nice TMSers always come to my rescue. Some have taken time to answer my queries on here, some have even actively taken time to contact me, send me stuff etc and its always really quick, and never seems a problem. I love how we've got this little community of people who don't necessarily know each other IRL, but are very willing and happy to help their midwifery mates at the drop of a hat. I just think its brill.

It helped me be realsitic about the course before I applied , i.e the hours, commitment needed, that it could be shit at times but all in all it gave me hope that I could do it!!! It also helped me realise that there are some fab midwives out there who really do support students and who are good people!!

This place is my salvation at the moment, but purely on a social supportive level, as I am currently taking a break from the course, but I feel like I am still keeping my 'toes in' so to speak.

I'd never have completed the course without this place. TMS teaches you so many different viewpoints and also valuable debating skills.

One thing I will say about this site is that everyone tells you to go and research into what a midwife does and what it's all about, but you never really understand what a midwives role and how midwifery is untill you talk to people in that position/situation. I have learnt a lot from students and midwives on here of what is expected of them and how practice works, which has given me a huge insight into the midwifery world. I would never of got that without this site.

It actually made me think I could do it and it wasn't a pipe dream. I really don't think I would have applied and got in if it wasn't for here. And even though it is wickedly addictive, by sheer dint of the fact that I am on the computer I am also switching between work and TMS so does keep me on the straight path. It helps me to keep faith in normality even in big NHS trusts. It warms my heart to realise I am not the only slightly odd bint out there with an odd way of thinking at times. And as Kangaroo says, it's incredibly informative. I had not heard of the "Rhombus of Michaelis" and picking up practice points and just being that slightly bit more prepared is a godsend.

I often find that I've heard about stuff that others in my cohort haven't. Tempting as it may be to imagine that's due to any actual work on my part, it is in fact entirely due to TMS. I have a much more rounded view of midwifery than I would have if I just learned from mentors, the more opinions the merrier I say. I often read someone's top tip or suggestion for a particular situation and then encounter it in practice the next week and I feel prepared. The people here offer a wealth of practical advice from their own experience, as opposed to the teaching of lecturers who are (necessarily to some extent) removed from clinical practice. TMS gives me hope in the dark moments because there are people out there committed to woman-centered and evidence-based care, I can vent to people who understand and I know I'm not alone (because sometimes it feels that way). Reading and participating in the debates and discussions teaches me to think and write clearly, to formulate my opinions and stand up for them when I need to. My academic work and care for women are constantly informed by what I have learned here, both in terms of information and ethos.

Its the on-line school of midwifery. Its relevant, up-to-date and it challenges my thinking.