When I realised I wanted to be a midwife.
From the age of nine, I knew I wanted to be a midwife. It all started when my beautiful mum was pregnant with twins. I was amazed by the idea that she was carrying two babies, and I couldn’t wait to become a big sister. Then, at just 26 weeks, she unexpectedly gave birth prematurely. I instantly fell in love with my incredible brother and sister. What struck me most, though, was my mum—she was so brave and exhausted yet still managed to care for me during the twins’ three-month hospital stay. Her strength left a lasting impression on me and fuelled my desire to pursue a career in midwifery.
At the age of fifteen, I gained another brother, which truly solidified my desire to become a midwife. Watching my mum go through another pregnancy and helping her with the twins and baby duties reinforced my passion for caring for others during such a special time. Seeing her manage it all, while I played a role in supporting her, only deepened my commitment to pursuing a career in midwifery.
When I turned eighteen, I decided to take a gap year. I had fallen in love, and the idea of university felt overwhelming at the time. I spent the year working in a nursery and a clothes shop, enjoying life, and partying hard. But by nineteen, I knew it was time to buckle down and focus on my future. My stepdad encouraged me to pursue a Nursing degree first, and I’m so glad I took his advice. It gave me a solid foundation for university life and provided me with essential nursing skills.
After qualifying as a nurse, I worked in orthopaedics, specifically trauma, and I loved it. But deep down, I knew it wouldn't be long before I returned to university to complete the ‘top-up’ degree for midwifery. In January 2008, I began my midwifery degree. Fast forward through forty births, blood, sweat, tears, and a mix of practical and theory assessments, I proudly qualified as a midwife in the summer of 2010.
The best parts of being a midwife
The best part of being a midwife is the incredible privilege of being part of such a deeply personal and transformative moment in people’s lives. There is something truly magical about supporting women and families through the birth of a new life. Whether it’s offering reassurance, guidance, or just being there for the emotional rollercoaster, being able to witness the joy, relief, and love in those moments is incredible.
I love how being a midwife has given me the opportunity to work in so many different roles, each with its own challenges and rewards. It’s one of the things that keeps me enthusiastic about my career—I’m always learning and evolving. No matter where I work, there’s always something new to discover, whether it's a new approach to care, the latest research, or simply learning from the diverse families and experiences I encounter. It’s a profession that allows me to grow continuously, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do so.
The hardest parts of being a midwife
The hardest parts of being a midwife are often tied to the emotional weight of the job. There are times when things don’t go as planned, and you have to navigate difficult situations, whether it's a complicated birth, a loss, or dealing with unexpected complications. The emotional toll of supporting families through such intense moments can be heavy, especially when you’re working with families facing grief or challenges.
Another tough aspect is the physical demand. The shifts, the nights, and the hours can be long, and the work can be physically exhausting, especially when you’re on your feet for hours. It’s also challenging to balance the demands of the job with personal life as being on-call or working unpredictable hours can often mean sacrificing time for yourself or with loved ones.
A highlight in my career
This one has got to be when I was featured on Channel 4’s One Born Every Minute. I had the incredible opportunity to give birth to my first baby on the show, which was such a unique and memorable experience. Then, in the second season, I was filmed as a midwife, supporting other women through their births. It was an amazing experience to be part of such a special series, sharing the emotional journey of childbirth with viewers, and it gave me the chance to reflect on my own journey as both a midwife and a mother.
Being a midwife and a mum
Being a midwife has definitely shaped me as a mother in many ways. First, it’s given me a deep understanding of childbirth, which helped me approach my own pregnancies and births with confidence and knowledge. I felt more empowered to make informed decisions, knowing the medical side of things and trusting my body’s abilities. For my second baby, I chose to have a home birth. At the time, I was working in a homebirth team, so it felt like a natural choice to bring my baby into the world in the comfort of my own home. My son was born in a birthing pool in our kitchen, and at that moment, I truly felt like the only woman ever to have given birth. It was 100% the most exhilarating experience of my life. The intimacy, the calm, and the connection I felt during that birth was unlike anything I had experienced before, and it made me appreciate even more the beauty and strength of childbirth.
On a more practical level, I’ve gained a lot of insight into newborn care and parenting, but I’ve also been reminded that every family and every birth is unique—there's no one-size-fits-all approach. This has helped me stay open-minded and flexible as a mother, understanding that there is no perfect way to parent, just what works best for my children and me.
