Recognition of Family

Recognition of Family

What motivated you to become a Midwife?
So, my Mum was also a midwife but when she had me, she thought that children were too precious, so she went back to nursing. But she stayed involved in parentcraft and breast-feeding support, and when I was growing up, I came across some of her parentcraft videos, my memory around 10 years old it appears that I stated that I was going to become a midwife. It was all that embryo to life stuff that really fascinated me. It’s that bit about being in the community that you see that family grow from a pregnant person to a new family developing all the way through it’s a truly joyous time which is very special to be part of.

What would you say to your student Midwife self?
Oh, that’s a good question. I think as a student, I think I would have said, keep going. It is difficult course as we know, you know the unsociable hours that we work and it isn’t always a happy outcome but in those times were are very fortunate to be able to support women. Also just remember you may be one person, but you can make such a huge difference in the lives of this family and that kind of value you can give through your work is worth the night shifts, the four in a row and the difficult times you might have.

What would be one of your most memorable moments during your career to date?
Oh another good one, it’s hard to put a finger on it, I think for me because I have been in the community for the last eleven and a half years now and in the same practice it’s meeting those families again whether it be with another pregnancy or just in passing in the surgery. You see those children grow and people will send me pictures of the new baby with the older sibling and I’ve looked after them both. I think that that’s great that I have been the Midwife in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd baby and been able to see them through that’s been rewarding to remember. It’s about being able to make a difference and it’s a bit of being the right person at the right time for them and I was able to give care to them and a better journey for them.

This edition of HLM is about recognition. Can you recall a career recognition moment?
Trying to think now, I have a some students and receptors who have recently qualified and it’s a bit like being a proud parent, when you do see them develop and take on new roles in their career or even going on to have their own families. Their careers are developing and evolving, and part of our role is the teaching side and it’s not only what we get from our patients but also the recognition from our students and other staff that see them progress. I like to see them popping up and seeing that they got that job or looking at how far they have come makes your day a bit brighter.

What favourite things do you do outside of work what’s the other you?
I love painting and drawing and have recently enrolled in a life drawing class, you know just to take yourself away self-care, working with different mediums and life models on an evening was really interesting to do something that was not midwifery related. I really enjoyed it when I was younger and it was nice to tap into it again.

How did you do during the pandemic and what supports did you have?
I think that it was definitely family. We were lucky as my parents were quite near by and we were in a bubble with them, my husband and I both being key workers were very lucky that we were able to actually work and see other colleagues and feel useful. I know a lot of people who were in lieu and waiting for things to change or happen, so I think we were really lucky. It was very challenging at times don’t get me wrong, as at times we didn’t know what was going to happen or what we should be doing at times. For instance, with PPE and those kinds of things, but to still have that normal routine was useful and then there was my little one who was oblivious to it all. At the time he was two and a bit. And we played in the garden or went to the park, so he was unaware really of anything else going on in the world. Just doing those normal things you didn’t talk about it just keep going. I’m sure it must have been different with older children with school and things.

Quick fire

Take away, Home cooked meal or restaurant?
Home cooked food – anything my Mum makes.

Dog Cat or other?
Gotta be a cat.

Scrubs uniform or joggers?
Uniform.

Favourite song and why?
Shania Twain – You are the one, weird right I was so young when it came out and I m just so stubborn I’ve kept it.

Favourite film/series?
I’m a titanic girl, I’m a real 90’s girl.