University of Hull midwives share their career stories

From supporting families to the joy of a home birth, three midwives, now working at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, are inspired by the difference they can make to women in labour and new mums. ‘It’s such a joy being a small part of families’ stories.’

NIKOLA DONNER
LABOUR WARD MIDWIFE AT HULL WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Nikola has been a midwife for almost 10 years and works as a midwife on the labour ward at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.

She said: “If I play a part in supporting and bringing families together in such an important time then I can go home feeling like I did a good job that day,” she said. “It’s such a joy being a small part of families’ stories.”

 After three years’ training at the University of Hull, Nikola qualified in 2015.

“Every day is so different. One day I can be in theatre, the next facilitating a water birth to another supporting a family coping with loss. Whatever the day, I am proud to be part of a dedicated team of midwives, midwifery assistants, doctors, housekeepers and cleaners to our specialist teams.”

Nikola also works as a student link on the ward, supporting student midwives who come onto the Labour Ward as part of their training and is really optimistic about the new generation of midwives qualifying over the next few years. “We have a wonderful generation of midwives coming though,” she says.

Her advice to anyone considering a career in midwifery – prepare yourself! “It’s busy,” she said. “Some days are hard but if you can give a little bit of yourself to families and care for each family like they are your own, this is the career for you.”

GEMMA BUTTERWORTH
MAPLE WARD, HULL WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

From a young age, Gemma Butterworth knew she wanted a career in midwifery after her own aunt went into premature labour with twins. While her cousin Laura passed away shortly after birth, the other twin Jade, who weighed just 1lb 2oz at birth, survived against the odds.

Gemma said: “I was fascinated with the intensive care and journey of neonatal life. I knew from a young age that I wanted to care for women and babies.”

When she was 18, Gemma studied Adult Nursing at the University of Hull, deciding to go into nursing first to help build her life skills. Qualifying in 2004, she worked in the Accident and Emergency Department for a year, enhancing her knowledge and skills.

Gemma started midwifery training in 2005, became a mum herself just a year later and qualified as a midwife in 2007, beginning her career at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital. She was a rotational midwife, working in all areas of midwifery including the antenatal ward, delivery and post-natal ward, until 2017 when she became one of the core midwives on Maple Ward, the hospital’s antenatal ward.

She is now Junior Sister on Maple Ward and also supports her colleagues as a professional midwifery advocate, sharing career or education advice, supporting them with any difficulties they face and helping them find their voice.

No two days are the same for Gemma. “A typical day entails either running a busy induction of labour clinic, co-ordinating the antenatal ward or caring for those having elective caesarean sections,” she said. “Every day is different and can be challenging but I enjoy the variation in roles.”

For Gemma, the best part of her job is supporting families. “It’s knowing that you made a difference in their care – this means so much.”

The hardest part is when a pregnancy doesn’t go to plan and there’s an unexpected outcome. “Delivering bad news is difficult and heart-breaking,” she said. “But we have an amazing team who are empathetic and strive to give the best possible care in the most difficult of circumstances.”

LOUISE COOPER
COMMUNITY MIDWIFE IN BRIGG

Working as a Community Midwife, Louise Cooper will never forget helping one family following a traumatic first pregnancy.

“One of the most special memories I have is supporting a woman and her family from her booking appointment throughout her whole pregnancy and in a beautiful birth at home, just as she had planned, after a traumatic time in her first pregnancy,” Louise said. “It was great for her and for me to see a woman through her whole pregnancy experience, building a great bond and resulted in a great experience of birth.”

Louise has been a midwife for more than seven years after completing her training at the University of Hull, working at Scunthorpe General Hospital on Ward 26, then on CDS and now in the community.

She decided to become a midwife after the same community midwife guided and supported her through all three of her own pregnancies.

“She got me through some tough times,” Louise said. “I’d always been interested in midwifery and mentioned it to her one day and she said to just go for it, so I did!”

Louise works at Brigg Midwifery Centre in the antenatal clinics, dealing with various stages of pregnancy. She supports home births and also carries out postnatal visits, completing postnatal and baby checks.

Louise, who lives in Lincoln with her three children and two dogs, has this advice to anyone wishing to follow a career in midwifery: “If you have a passion and want to do it, do it!”

Thanks to Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for sharing these stories about University of  Hull graduates who have become midwives. We hope they will inspire others.