Ready, Steady, Push!: The uncensored confessions of a student midwife

by Megan Paige

What do you get when you mix a teenager who still thinks cereal counts as dinner, university, and midwifery?
Chaos. Absolute, unfiltered chaos.

Ready, Steady, Push! is a brutally honest, comedy-fuelled memoir about one woman’s journey from awkward adolescence to the unpredictable world of midwifery - where coffee is cold, shifts are long, and bodily fluids have zero respect for personal boundaries.

Night shifts? Feel like hostage situations.

Imposter syndrome? Works more hours than she does.

Temptation to quit everything and live in a yurt? Looms large.

Eventually, she learns to navigate post-birth marriage proposals, thirteen-hour shifts powered entirely by 4 a.m. delusion, and training with a baby under one arm and someone else’s placenta under the other. And when someone’s teeth fall out mid-birth? Don’t scream… just rinse, smile, and pretend it’s perfectly normal.

If laughter really is the best medicine, her life is a full-blown overdose - side effects may include snort-laughter, overthinking, and reconsidering your life choices.

Perfect for fans of Adam Kay, Leah Hazard, and anyone who’s ever wondered what it would be like if “Bridget Jones” had been a student midwife in this generation.

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2025

Reviews

[Beth Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing was so beautifully conversational it felt just like I was listening to one of Meg's many wonderful stories in person.

Funny, devastating, heart-warming, honest and unbelievably relatable! I loved every second.

I look forward to anything else this absolute legend writes next.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I’m endlessly proud of Meg. Not just for writing a whole book, but for everything she’s overcome to become the brilliant, warm, resilient person she is. Reading about her journey into midwifery, especially knowing the challenges she faced along the way, made me love and admire her even more.

Her writing style hooked me straightaway. It’s genuinely laugh-out-loud funny (which I did on many occasions). I could see her in every chaotic scenario but I thought she balances the humour with these thoughtful, honest, emotionally raw moments that really stayed with me. I found myself relating way more than I expected, from tricky mentors to imposter syndrome to feeling overwhelmed emotionally and trying to keep it together. She captured those feelings so beautifully.

The dentures story and the swimming-pool school chapter? Absolutely iconic. Pure Meg. I loved how effortlessly she moved from comedy to clinical detail, making the serious parts feel just as engaging as the funny ones.

I enjoyed every chapter and now I desperately need a part two. Forever proud of you and everything you’ve achieved, Meg. Love you always.

[Amy Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Written by one of my work besties, it felt like she was was sitting right beside me, telling me all her classic Meg stories in her own voice. I flew through it because the writing was so genuine, engaging, and full of personality. For a first book, it’s truly impressive—warm, funny, honest, and impossible to put down.
I’m already excited for Book 2. If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see what she shares next!

[Sharon Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg, I laughed and I cried, but could not put the book down and read it in 3 sittings. Well done Meg, can't wait for the next one

[Meg 🩷✨🌿 · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE! Endlessly proud of Meg for writing this! As a fellow student midwife, this book is hilarious and relatable! Highlights the ups and down of our journeys in healthcare and I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. Meg captured her mannerisms perfectly and I’m so excited for a sequel 🤞🏼 10/10 read!