Marie’s story – Part Two
"The women I care for keep me motivated as I want the very best for them and I will work to advocate for them."
I meet women in their homes, making time to get them and their babies off to the best start possible until they are ready for me to transfer them to the health visitor. It is a bittersweet day when I have to say goodbye to a family. I have been on the entire journey with them. Although having a baby is generally a happy occasion the reality of life is that it is not always straightforward so sometimes there are some difficult moments too but it is an absolute honour to stand by each woman and a delight to witness when the women come into their strength as new mothers, to see them and their babies thrive.
Scotland needs happy healthy families and a vital piece of the puzzle to enable that is through a good foundation of midwifery care and this ripples out over the generations. The women I care for keep me motivated as I want the very best for them and I will work to advocate for them as much as possible. I believe in people, empower them to make their own informed decisions and meet them where they are in their journey without judgement.
If I was going to give advice to someone considering midwifery I would say to be clear with yourself about your reasons to be a midwife. Smooth seas do not make good sailors – there will be days and nights when you feel very challenged and that’s when you need to be able to firmly hold on to why you are doing this. You also need something that is your anchor, like a hobby or reflective practice, and maybe a lighthouse too; someone who you can talk to within the organisation who understands the nature of the role and can guide you. As you develop you will become someone else’s lighthouse too. I have been very fortunate to know wonderful midwives – they are the warm heart and safe hands for many women and families and that is vital when navigating such a significant time.
Read all Humans of Scotland stories here.
In connection with Humans of Scotland, the ALLIANCE Person Centred Voices team launched a short film. In it, we hear from some of the incredible nurses and midwives we’ve had the honour of meeting over the years. This film is a celebration of person centred care, professional pride, and the human connections that sit at the heart of nursing and midwifery. You can watch the film here.
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