My switch to a career in maternity services

Finding a new career in maternity care

I’ve always loved art, but healthcare was a quiet interest in the back of my mind. My sister is a children's nurse and always suggested I’d be a natural at it. When I moved to a new city, I decided it was finally time to change career.

I started as a bank healthcare support worker to get my foot in the door. This gave me the chance to learn how the NHS works while getting paid to train. It’s a great way to see if a clinical environment suits you.

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I worked with the immunisation team before a permanent role came up. This gave me the confidence to look for more ways to grow my skills. I knew I wanted to work in maternity because of my own experiences.

The journey to becoming an MCA

While working in immunisations, a secondment opportunity came up to train as a maternity care assistant. This meant I could study at university while keeping my contracted hours and pay. Once I finished the course, I had a guaranteed job waiting for me.

My own pregnancy journeys were quite complicated, so I felt inspired to give back. The care I received made me want to offer that same support to other families. It’s a role that feels very personal and rewarding every single day.

The Maternity Care Assistant Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) was mostly based on placements with online lectures and digital essays. It was a great way for me to learn while staying in the workplace. I felt supported by my team every step of the way.

Supporting families in the community

The role is rotational, which means I get to work in delivery wards, theatre, and the neonatal unit. Right now, I’m with the community midwifery team helping mums at home. I take bloods, check blood pressure, and help with newborn health exams.

People often think my job is just about cuddling babies, but that's only a small part. Most of my time is spent offering emotional and practical support to tired or anxious parents. I help with breastfeeding plans and help families feel confident looking after their new arrivals.

I also deliver antenatal classes to help parents prepare for their newborn. This includes teaching them about breastfeeding and how to care for their baby. It is a privilege to help people feel in control during such a big life change.

A life-changing moment on the ward

I’ll never forget the day I had to pull the emergency buzzer during a breastfeeding session. A mother became very unwell suddenly, and my training helped me act quickly and calmly. I looked after the baby and supported the distraught dad while the medical team helped the mum.

That moment confirmed that I am exactly where I need to be. Knowing my actions made a difference gave me a huge sense of pride in my work. I’m now an advocate for other maternity care assistants and love being part of this team.

The senior charge midwife thanked me for my actions that day. It made me realise that every member of the team plays a vital part in keeping patients safe. I feel very lucky to work alongside such dedicated professionals.

My top 3 tips for your maternity services career

• Take the chance—Don't be afraid to try something new, even if you’ve worked in a different field for years.
• Keep learning—Go for every opportunity that comes your way and keep your options open as you grow.
• Be approachable—Communication is vital when you are helping families feel comfortable and heard.