Competence comes in various forms and is identified as a core component of professional clinicians (Hodges & Lingard, 2012), with maintaining competence identified as a vital characteristic of the professional midwife (Calvert, Smythe, & McKenzie-Green, 2017). The Midwifery Council of New Zealand (2005) defines competence as, "the ongoing capacity to integrate knowledge, skills, understanding, attitudes, and values within the professional framework of the Midwifery Scope of Practice" (p.6). Within midwifery there is an expectation that midwives can work competently in all areas at all times (Edwards et al., 2016); however, the need and motivation to maintain overall competence depends on the midwife (Calvert et al., 2017). Confidence is often related to competence; however, they do not always co-exist. Confidence is defined as a feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of a person's own abilities or qualities (Oxford Dictionary of English, 2010). The concept of confidence is an essential part of the transition from undergraduate student to midwife, through gaining confidence in their demonstrated competence. Factors such as the influence of colleagues, perceived autonomy and a sense of familiarity can contribute to enhancing confidence (Bedwell, McGowan, & Lavender, 2015).