Alice’s story
“I would say there is no job on earth like it. It becomes a source of pride, of purpose and an intrinsic part of who you are.”
Working in a leadership role, my days look very different to how I imagined them when I started out 17 years ago. I spend my time either attending meetings, attending local or national forums and engaging with the wider acute and women’s services teams. Whilst my role doesn’t include direct patient care anymore, the decisions I make now can influence how midwifery care is delivered both in my board and across Scotland, and I remain dedicated to ensuring high quality care is accessible to all.
I came into midwifery because I wanted a job which made a difference, and the thought of supporting women through such a pivotal moment in their lives felt incredibly worthwhile. I’m still motivated by wanting to support women – I just have the opportunity to do it on a bigger scale now. I also want to create a better working environment for midwives so that they can flourish and aren’t left feeling broken by their chosen profession.
My proudest career moments were when I worked as a Consultant Midwife and had the opportunity to support women who had previously experienced traumatic birth to achieve a positive subsequent birth experiences in a way which aligned to their needs. Any time I feel I’ve been able to make a positive impact on someone’s journey, however big or small that might have been, is what always makes me proud to be a midwife.
I need to be busy and I like having something to think through so a good day is work is one when I feel like I’ve achieved something, solved a problem or at least set the wheels in motion to solving it. Days when I get to engage with midwives and women are always worthwhile and remind me why I’m in the job I’m in.
The fact there is so much work to be done to improve the system keeps me motivated, and the privileged position I have to be able to influence even part of that work. I am acutely aware that the decisions we make today will shape maternity care for decades to come, and I am driven by the responsibility to ensure that the midwifery voice is heard at the highest levels when those decisions are made.
For someone considering becoming a midwife, I would say there is no job on earth like it. It becomes a source of pride, of purpose and an intrinsic part of who you are – no matter what path life takes me on. I am a midwife and will always be a midwife. It isn’t always easy, but the rewards are worth it and if you can be a midwife, there is nothing you can’t do.
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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