Today is #InternationalDayoftheMidwife. Many are sharing their reasons why they became midwives & why they love their job. Here’s mine... 1/9

For me, midwifery has always been inherently political. Supporting birthing people through a system that can be patriarchal & medicalised, which often views pregnancy & birth as normal only in retrospect, can be an uphill challenge. 2/9

Pregnancy & birth are normal bodily functions that require care that respects individual choice & supports physiology to optimise not only health outcomes, but also the emotional journey of the pregnant person & their baby/ies. I embrace this challenge. 3/9

I am passionate about providing individualised care, being as involved or hands off as the family needs in that moment. I trust that pregnant people & new parents are best placed to make decisions about their own bodies & babies. 4/9

Everyone has a right to respectful & safe care. Those who face health & social inequalities or challenges should be able to expect the system to adapt to adjust to their unique needs. One size does not fit all. This is about equity, not equality. 5/9

We still have a long way to go to provide adequate care to people who are BAME, trans, non-binary, travellers, don’t have English as a first language, visually impaired, non-verbal, neurodiverse - the list goes on. 6/9

I am proud of the midwifery model for being radical & person-centred, making it perfectly placed to address these inequalities & to fight for system change. 7/9

I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside incredible & passionate colleagues at @BSUH_maternity & in the midwifery community as a whole. 8/9

Last but not least, the families I support & care for are an endless source of inspiration to me. I will never stop learning from them & am humbled when I am invited to be a small part of their journeys. 9/9

What about my midwifery colleagues & students? @every_bodyMW @DidiCraze_MW @maggiemyatt1 @LottaButler @TibbleKatie @Stringer4Kate @SisterShawnRM @olvindaRM @amandaclifton34 @AlysEinion @Schmalastica @KirstySER

@libertywebb20 @Birth_Walker @beckie_elms @MidwifeMaeve @TSM_Journal @MidwifeParker @brightmidwifery @MollytheMidwife @SussexAdvocacy @TPM_Journal #IDM2021