I'm a mother and a midwife

[MotherTheMidwife4life]

Ask me a question.

Would you prefer to see the same mum-to-be throughout appointments and be there at the birth?

I massively preferred this continuity with my second child, I felt I’d had the chance to build a good relationship with the same midwife and was so relieved she happened to be there on the actual day! I had built trust with her and it was so reassuring hearing her voice.

How did you feel about your own child(ren)’s birth(s)? Did it feel strange being the patient rather than the midwife when you gave birth?

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Thank you for sharing this ❤️. Continuity of care can make such a difference. Building trust with the same midwife throughout pregnancy often helps parents feel more confident, heard, and supported. And hearing a familiar voice during labour can be incredibly reassuring when you need it most. I'm so glad you had that experience with your second baby. 💕

Very good question. It definitely gave me a whole new perspective. 💕 Even as a midwife, when it's your own baby, you're simply a mum. Being the patient reminded me what it feels like to be vulnerable, to need reassurance, and to trust the people caring for you. That experience has made me even more compassionate in my own practice, because I know how much a kind word, a familiar face, and feeling truly listened to can mean during labour and birth. ❤️

Thank you, and you’re welcome. All 3 of the midwives I saw during my first pregnancy were lovely, but none were there on the day (I understood this wasn’t their choice), and I really lacked confidence with my first birth.

It was incredible having the same midwife during my second pregnancy, as it was during Covid and my eldest was a toddler. She visited me at home for every appointment, and after my first baby had been rushed to the NICU, she really spent some time talking to me about aspects of my first birth and aftermath which had been difficult. I felt like she got to know me and us as a whole family, and I did feel more confident with her being there on the day.

Thank you for all you do supporting, caring and guiding such a huge life event ☺️

What a lovely response. You sound very compassionate and kind. I imagine you’re a lovely midwife and a great support at a woman’s most vulnerable moment ❤️

what are your thoughts on induction v elective c section if things aren’t starting on their own

Do you know if most pregnant doctors/nurses elect to have caesareans themselves rather than vaginal births to avoid the risk of birth injuries?

I think it's important to remember that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. ❤️

If a mum wants to aim for a vaginal birth and there are no contraindications, I'm generally supportive of induction as it can often help achieve that goal.

That said, I'm also very supportive of an elective caesarean when a mum is experiencing significant anxiety or feels that's the right birth choice for her after informed discussions. Maternal wellbeing matters too.

The best decision is the one that's made with good evidence, clear counselling about the benefits and risks of each option, and that aligns with the mother's values and clinical circumstances. Every birth is unique. 💕

It's a really interesting question! 😊 The evidence doesn't show that most doctors, nurses or midwives choose elective caesarean births over vaginal births.

Healthcare professionals make birth choices for the same reasons anyone else does—personal preferences, previous birth experiences, medical history, anxiety levels, and individual pregnancy circumstances. Many doctors, nurses and midwives go on to have straightforward vaginal births, while others choose or need a planned caesarean.

Both vaginal birth and caesarean birth have their own benefits and risks. My advice is always to make an informed decision with your maternity team based on your individual circumstances rather than what someone else's profession might be. 💛