I am approaching completing my three years of midwifery training at Winchester Hospital and previously worked there for two years as a maternity support worker. This experience gave me a solid foundation in compassionate, hands-on care, helping me to understand the emotional and physical demands of the role and reinforcing my passion for midwifery. I developed essential skills in communication, teamwork, and woman-centred care, and I witnessed first-hand the importance of continuity and respectful care. My early experiences in this setting shaped my understanding of what excellent maternity care looks like and provided a strong base from which I now wish to grow professionally within a new and dynamic environment.
My journey into midwifery was shaped by a longstanding commitment to supporting women and families. As a teenager, I undertook voluntary charity work in Peru, where I supported vulnerable babies and children. Working in areas with limited access to healthcare showed me the power of compassionate, hands-on care and the importance of cultural sensitivity. This experience sparked my interest massively in global health inequalities and inspired me to pursue a profession where I could advocate for equitable and respectful care. Here I am now, almost a qualified midwife and to further explore this interest, I am preparing for my elective placement in Tanzania, where I will volunteer in a busy maternity unit. This placement will expose me to midwifery practices in a different healthcare system and further enhance my adaptability, resourcefulness, and appreciation for evidence-based care under challenging circumstances. I hope to return with a renewed understanding of global midwifery and a deeper appreciation for the principles of woman-centred care, which I plan to integrate into my future practice and career development.
Outside of my academic and clinical experiences, I have also grown personally through my role in helping care for my stepsister, who has severe autism and complex needs. Supporting her daily has given me a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, patience, and the importance of adapting communication styles and environments to meet individual needs. These experiences have shaped my empathetic and inclusive approach to midwifery, particularly in supporting women with additional needs or who may find maternity settings overwhelming. I am confident in advocating for reasonable adjustments and ensuring every woman receives respectful, individualised care.
I supported midwives and multidisciplinary teams in delivering high-quality care to expectant and new mothers and their babies. Over the course of two years, I developed a strong foundation in maternity services, deepening my understanding of midwifery practice and the holistic care of women during the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods.
Key Responsibilities & Achievements:
Key Skills Developed:
This role provided a valuable insight into midwifery, affirming my passion for women's health and equipping me with essential clinical and interpersonal skills to support future roles in maternity care.
Throughout my training, I have developed a wide range of clinical skills across antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal, and community care Including: supporting vaginal and assisted births, interpreting CTGs, performing perineal suturing, managing obstetric emergencies, and assisting with neonatal resuscitation I am also NIPE trained, and I have a growing interest in newborn examination and the early detection of neonatal abnormalities I aim to continue expanding my knowledge and practical skills in this area as a qualified midwife and would welcome opportunities within the trust to pursue further training in NIPE and newborn health Breastfeeding support is another key area of interest for me During my placements and previous job role working as a maternity support worker within the trust, I have observed that women's knowledge around breastfeeding has become increasingly more limited, often influenced by cultural norms, misinformation, or lack of antenatal education I strongly believe that informed decision-making begins with high-quality antenatal education and further education during the intrapartum and postnatal period I am committed to ensuring that women are informed with accurate, evidence-based information about breastfeeding and that their choices are respected and supported As a midwife, I will advocate for continued improvement in breastfeeding education and ensure that I am a reliable source of support during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period
My strengths include strong communication skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and a genuine desire to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams I view teamwork as vital to maternity care; safe outcomes are often the result of effective, respectful, and timely communication between professionals I value the diversity of perspectives that a team brings, and I make a conscious effort to listen and contribute constructively to shared decision-making I am also mindful of areas where I can grow While I have built confidence during my training, I recognise that building confidence in autonomous decision-making and refining my time management are areas that will naturally develop with experience I understand that balancing multiple clinical responsibilities while providing high-quality, individualised care can be challenging in the early stages of practice However, I am committed to learning and growing in these areas, and I welcome constructive feedback as a valuable tool for improvement
Further Training and Skills:
Duke of Edinburgh Award - Bronze.