International Midwives Day – a time to celebrate

Gloucester Soldiers Memorial Hospital’s nursing unit manager in Roma Ward, Lauri Buckingham, said International Midwives Day is an opportunity to celebrate the long contribution of its midwives to new mothers and their families in the Gloucester area as well as the recent changes within the maternity service.

Ms Buckingham said Gloucester Hospital is particularly proud of their new model of maternity care that has been introduced since January of this year.

"At that time, the community and our midwives negotiated strongly to maintain Gloucester Hospitals Obstetric service," she said.

"With the support of senior midwives from John Hunter Hospital and Belmont Hospital, a new model of care was developed which allows our midwives to have greater contact with pregnant women well before their time of delivery.

"This will enable pregnant women to develop a rapport with their midwife and familiarise themselves with the Obstetric Unit before the birth so that they feel more relaxed and confident at a time when it is most needed.

"Gloucester Hospital has provided a wonderful service for lots of new mothers and their families. Some mothers prefer Gloucester to the hustle and bustle of larger hospitals, because here they are able to be close to their loved ones, have peace and quiet around them and have the opportunity of spending more time with their midwives," she said.

Dr Michelle Hogg will work closely with the Midwives in this new model, which Ms Buckingham said has proved to be an exciting new development for all concerned.

"In preparation for our new service, all of the midwives have travelled to John Hunter Hospital to spend time observing various aspect of a busy and complex maternity service. They are also engaging in various educational activities to sharpen their knowledge," she said.

Overall, the most important thing Gloucester midwives would like to highlight in the celebration of International Midwives Day is that, birthing is the most profound spiritual human event.

"It is the moment when new life is brought into this world. No person walks on this earth that has not been birthed by their mother. She delivers them through the gateway of life.

"Midwives feel the birth of a child is a sacred event, and because of this incredible experience - they cherish their profession," Ms Buckingham said.

Debbie Buckton started work at Gloucester Hospital in May 2003. She did her general training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1979 -1982 followed by her midwifery training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1986-87. Debbie says she enjoys every aspect of the pregnancy from antenatal to postnatal.  "I still find it a privilege to be present at the delivery of a newborn baby even after 21 years. Every birth is special.  "The new model of care will give the mothers an increased sense of comfort during labour as we (the midwives) will not be strangers," she said.

Jan Dixon started work at Gloucester Hospital in August 1983. She did her general training at Royal Prince Alfred from 1976 – 1979 and completed her Midwifery at King George Hospital for Mothers and Babies in 1982. She says she particularly enjoys supporting a woman and her family during her pregnancy and feels privileged to be present at the birth of the child. I don’t have one specific favourite memory of delivering at Gloucester as every birth is special in its own right. Sharing the tears of happiness is a privilege". She feels that the new model of care will allow birthing mothers to meet us during their pregnancy not when they present at labour.

Maree Marsh started at Gloucester Hospital in 1992. She attended her midwifery training between 1982 – 83. She says that her favourite aspect of midwifery is helping the mother through a birth in a way that she can look back on as a nice experience and as a lovely memory. The best memory she has of working at Gloucester Hospital was when a mother presented to Roma Ward but had forgotten to book in. After a quick 15-20 minute labour her fourth boy was born.

Julie Reay started working at Gloucester Hospital in 2000. She completed her midwifery training at King George Hospital Mothers and Babies in 1980. She says that her favourite aspect of midwifery is just after the baby is born, and finding out if it is a girl or boy - I love a surprise. Her best memories of delivering at Gloucester focus on the look on the ‘new’ parents faces when they see their new baby. She likes the new model of care because it will be nice meeting the parents prior to delivery.

Hildegard White started at Gloucester Hospital in 1993. She completed her midwifery in 1965. She enjoys supporting mothers through every aspect of their pregnancy and witnessing the transformation of each woman, brimming over with confidence, fulfilment and love, makes me feel truly humble and so proud to be a midwife. "I love driving home after having the honour of helping bring a new life into the world. No matter how many babies I have helped to deliver, that very special feeling never fails to inspire me". She feels the new model of care will provide many more opportunities to get to know the mothers and their families.

Dr Michele Hogg who works closely with the midwives shares similar feelings. She started at Gloucester Hospital in 1997 after finishing Medicine in 1990. She completed Obstetrics in 1993. Her favourite aspect of delivering babies is her involvement in a life changing. It is usually a positive stage of change for the women and their partners. Her favourite memories are seeing the children she has delivered growing up. She said the increased involvement of women with their midwives in the antenatal period will be positive in labour, will be a great aspect of this new model of care. The midwives will have more professional satisfaction as well.

Gloucester midwives Debbie Buckton, Jan Dixon, Maree Marsh, Julie Reay, Hildegard White, (plus two missing names), and Dr Michael Hogg, are extremely proud of the service they provide at Gloucester. They all agree that it is a privilege to be so intimately involved with families as they bring a new life into the world. They also agree that the new model of maternity care being adopted at Gloucester Soldier’s Memorial Hospital will increase the opportunities for local women to get to know their midwives prior to the birth of their child which will make labour a positive experience.