Marie’s story – Part One
"Being a midwife truly is an honour."
As a community midwife I am an autonomous practitioner providing person centred care for a mixed complexity caseload. I manage outpatient antenatal clinics, parent education, on call for birth in a variety of settings (anywhere from inpatient hospital births to remote and rural births at home) and postnatal home visits. Although rewarding, it is at times a challenging and unpredictable role due to the variety of work and the on call commitment. I work alongside my team to ensure holistic care is provided at one of the most pivotal times in the family’s lives. We work with families from a varied demographic – from the edge of the highlands all the way down to almost the central belt – we see every part of society.
I think I was always meant to be a midwife. Growing up with my family experiencing perinatal loss and maternal bereavement meant that I have a keen understanding of how important it is to truly listen to women and families. The births of my own children were formative also. I realised that there was a need for more people to provide kind, capable care and so I came into midwifery to help make the perinatal journey for other women easier. I want to provide a warm heart and safe hands to those welcoming their children into the world.
The proudest moments have arrived, usually in the middle of the night when the rest of the world is sleeping, when the woman I’m supporting has been victorious in meeting her baby. I sing on the way home the following morning, seeing people go to work, wishing I could tell the world just how strong women are. I crawl into bed, but not before I have done a few chores so I’m ready to pick my children up from school in the afternoon.
My days are varied, and I never truly know where the work will take me, but I always begin with a quiet promise to do my best regardless of what lies ahead. Because we cover a large geographical area, we prioritise visits based on clinical need, while still striving to maintain continuity so families see familiar faces during such a vulnerable time. I prioritise women and babies by offering personalised care and supporting families to make informed decisions from a place of strength, not fear. Being a midwife truly is an honour.
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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