Midwives working at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) will be marking the International Day of the Midwife on 5 May by reflecting on their rewarding jobs which give them the chance to support families in some of the most important moments of their lives.
One team who have particular reason to recognise the day is the NUH Home Birth Team who delivered their 100th home birth recently.
Having been created in March 2024, the Home Birth team have now supported more than 100 home births across Nottinghamshire in just over a year, helping to create supportive and relaxing environments for families who wish to give birth at home.
Mikaela Stanley and Wyatt Howell, parents of baby Isaac, who was the 100th baby born via the service, welcomed him into the world at their home at 23.34pm on 16 April, supported by a team of midwives during the day and night.
Mikaela said: “The team were fantastic and so supportive, they were able to create such a calm environment, which really helped put me at ease. They listened to everything I wanted and followed my birth plan perfectly to help us welcome Isaac into the world. I’d like to thank them for their kindness and support and for helping us to create just the right atmosphere.”
Midwife Jasmin Winfield, who worked the night shift during Isaac’s birth has worked as a midwife for six years across most areas of maternity care including both labour suites and sanctuary birth centres at City Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre as well as serving the women and families of Nottingham as a community midwife. She said: “We are so lucky to have such a special job that lets us into people’s lives during some of the most intimate and vulnerable times of their lives, being part of the 100th home birth and supporting Mikaela was really special.
“I found my passion whilst working in the sanctuary birth centre, providing individualised care and supporting women to ‘birth their way’. I also loved the continuity of care and building the lovely relationships with families. The home birth team has allowed me to incorporate my two main passions, and I feel very lucky every day to have the privilege of being surrounded by such amazing women.”
Midwife, Alice, who also supported Mikaela during the night shift, has been a midwife for 7 years, having worked the past 6 years in Nottingham and was based at Nottingham City Hospital until she joined the home birth team. She said: “There are so many parts of my job that I enjoy and am passionate about. I love capturing photos of families for them to look back on, especially the ones that show their raw emotions and power that comes from childbirth. I also love making sure that families who have risk factors feel safe and supported. It’s a really important part of my role.”
A home birth offers women the choice to labour and give birth to their baby in a familiar, relaxing and private environment.
They receive one-to-one care from a midwife in their own home and have two midwives present for the birth.
Research shows that planning a home birth means you are more likely to have a birth without interventions, even if you need to be transferred into hospital.
You are particularly suitable for a home birth if you have no medical conditions, have had an uncomplicated pregnancy, did not experience complications in any previous labours and labour starts spontaneously after 37 weeks.
Sharon Wallis, Director of Midwifery for NUH said: “It is brilliant that our home birth team has achieved such a milestone of 100 births, congratulations and well done to everyone involved. Mothers told us that this was an important service for them and I am pleased that we have been able to achieve this level of service as part of our Maternity Improvement Programme.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all of our maternity teams across NUH a happy International Day of the Midwife. Thank you for your continued hard work and support.”
