About My Work

I've never had work cross over into Blogland before, but I had a really lovely session there recently. Thought I'd share it with you all. I am a midwife at a large hospital. I rarely catch babies these days - though there is one coming up in January I'm getting ready for. For the last few years I have been the 'Parent Education Midwife' which sounds very grand! I design and run sessions and courses for women and their partners. I have a team of willing midwives who help me and together we offer sessions about waterbirth, active birth, yoga, many other things, as well as the more traditional 'Parentcraft' (hate that word). But I also get involved in all sorts of weird and wonderful requests - if ever anyone wants something out of the ordinary it usually ends up on my desk.

This week I had the pleasure of a visit from a group of women in their 80's. They are helping a woman who is writing a play about childbirth in the war years. She wanted to bring them to my hospital and film them talking about their memories. We had so much fun. I asked them what they thought of how things are now and their answers would fill several 'pages'. It was a lovely experience and very humbling too. Between us we had 34 children and there were only eight of them! Most were home births, one woman gave birth behind a curtain while two men mended the kitchen range! Though none of their men were present for the birth. When I asked about 'pain relief' the general attitude was - 'well you just got on with it'. How different it is now with epidural being the most common choice.

I have been invited to the play next summer!

Here is the bump I'm on call for in January.

Comments

[carolyn]

I've worked in a kitchen for more years than I can count and after too many grueling years I decided maybe I should think of another carreer. Well, being a midwife was my choice but seeing as I was my sole supported and owned a house I couldn't afford to go back to school and opened a bakery instead. I envy your carreer although I have no regrets. I've been lucky enough to attend 4 births a support to dear friends.

[Maddy]

'well you just got on with it'
Love that, it's a shame more people don't have that attitude today.

[tania]

wow- that sounds amazing-
what a wonderful experience! and your role- that seems wonderful too- to give advice and help about such a huge and scary thing ( scary for me who has never done it!)
its lovely-

[littlejennywren]

That sounds wonderful. One of the best parts of working at the nursing home where I used to work was listening to all the wonderful and sometimes sad memories of the people living there.

[melissa]

what a lovely to do! I wish I had been there, listening to those stories. I do envy your career as a midwife, as I think I wouldn't mind training as one sometime soon...

[brenda]

I had all 6 of my children at home, and think midwifery is one of the finest vocations! Blessings to you!