Uniting women and midwives

The following quote sums up so much of what I love about the midwifery profession:

‘In all cultures, the midwife's place is on the threshold of life, where intense human emotions, fear, hope, longing, triumph and incredible physical power enable a new human being to emerge. Her vocation is unique’.

Despite our different cultures, upbringing and life perspectives, birth is something that connects and unites women all across the world, and something that connects us as midwives too.

I have always valued experiencing midwifery in different cultures. Training and working in a busy London teaching hospital meant that I had the opportunity to care for women and families from many different cultures. Travel and meeting people from different walks of life have always been important to me, and I am so grateful to have had the chance to combine these two passions.

In my third year elective placement, I had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks in New Zealand. I loved their focus on women-centred caseloading care. There is a government website where midwives advertise their birthing philosophies and women can research the midwives in their area and choose one who they feel aligns most with their hopes and expectations (Find Your Midwife, 2023). This midwife then provides caseload care, throughout antenatal care, birth and postnatal care.