Publish date: 5 May 2023
Kate, one of our Northumbria midwives lets us know more about her role as part of International Day of the Midwife
My name is Kate and I’m a community midwife employed with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. I look after pregnant women in the antenatal period providing holistic care in pregnancy, ensuring they remain physically and emotionally well throughout.
My role involves physical well-being checks such as blood pressure, urine and carbon monoxide monitoring; as well as measuring growing bumps and accurately determining babies position before listening in to the fetal heart rate. I provide relevant information given at timely points in pregnancy such as our fantastic antenatal education classes run within the trust, or formulating birth plans in partnership with women, ensuring they are aware of all available options and supported within their birth preferences. I am also lucky enough to care for women and their newborn infants in the postnatal period, providing care within their home settings- again focussing on physical and emotional wellbeing but also covering topics such as safe sleep, infant feeding and transition to parenthood by way of support and guidance.
International Day of the Midwife is a fantastic celebration of the hard work and dedication of midwives globally. Midwives are a truly special bunch and really do aim to go that extra mile collectively, whether we work in an assessment unit, birthing centre, ward or community setting.
I love being a midwife as it’s a privilege to be a small part of a family’s journey, especially where we can make a difference however big or small. I started my midwifery journey as a mature student having previously spent over 10 years working at a football club. I can say that no day is ever the same in maternity services and the power of midwives supporting and cheering on other women will always outweigh 52,000 fans in a stadium any day of the week!
The best part about my job is caring for women and getting to know them over time. I live for the lightbulb moment where I can unlock something that really makes a difference to women and families.
In what feels like a fast four years since starting my midwifery journey, there have been lots of highlights. One, in particular, is when a family returns to the service and the moment you realise you care for them with their previous baby. It is a real honour to know I have built up a memorable, trusting relationship where they are once again happy to receive my care. It is a real honour to know I have built up a memorable, trusting relationship where they are once again happy to receive my care. I have recently completed an aqua natal teaching course which will ultimately be of benefit to women in the local area that I care for day in, day out; ensuring they can exercise safely, relax and socialise- building their own network of other new Mums to be. I adore supervising and working with student midwives, many of which I am so happy to call colleagues today, watching them grow and develop into truly excellent practitioners is a proud moment.