Why I swapped childcare for a midwifery career

Taking on a big challenge

I worked as a nursery nurse through a Modern Apprenticeship because I loved working with children. After having my own 4 kids, the support I received from my midwives motivated me to look for a brand new pathway. I wanted to support women through one of the biggest moments of their lives.

I started going to night classes at college to get the Highers I needed to apply to university. While studying English, I found out I have dyslexia, which finally explained why my school years had always felt so difficult. I worked hard to balance my studies and my home life so I could reach my goal.

I waited until my youngest son went to high school before starting my degree so I could focus on my clinical training. Starting a new pathway as an adult was a big challenge, but I knew it was the right choice. I graduated from Napier University and joined the NHS as a midwife.

The reality of my clinical role

Now, I work in the planned caesarean section team where I support families from the moment they arrive at the hospital. I help prepare them for theatre and stay with them as they meet their new baby for the first time. This continuity helps women feel supported and much more relaxed while they recover.

Many people are surprised to learn that I don’t spend my whole day cuddling babies. My role is actually about supporting the entire family through every step of the process. I help birth partners and families learn how to feed and care for their newborns, so they feel more involved.

Helping a woman through a period where she might feel overwhelmed to seeing her go home ready for the next chapter is a great feeling. I provide person-centred care to make sure every family feels heard and respected. Watching parents go home feeling happy and excited after a calm experience makes my job satisfying.

Building trust through communication

I believe communication is the most important skill for any midwife to have. It helps lower stress and anxiety for the family and keeps the whole clinical team working well together. Good communication helps everyone understand exactly what they need to do to support the mother.

I feel happy when I see a mother completely in love with her new baby after the birth. Working in the NHS is more than just a job because you get to make a positive difference with kindness. It takes resilience and hard work, but helping someone through a vulnerable time is a feeling that I can't describe.

Midwifery offers plenty of job opportunities and many different ways to specialise in the future. I want to build my experience in different areas before I decide which part of the service to focus on. If you want this career, I'd say you shouldn't let anyone put you off your goals.

My top 3 tips for your midwifery career

• Do your research—Speak to people already in the job to get a real insight into what the role is like.
• Trust the plan—It takes a lot of work, so make sure you have a plan that works for you.
• Don’t be put off—If you want to start a new pathway, ignore the doubts of others and go for it.