Glasgow celebrates the amazing role of midwives

And never has it been so poignant, in the midst of a world pandemic.

“Babies come when they are ready, so it really is one of the few parts of healthcare that you can’t delay. But equally, we are very lucky that the vast majority of what we do – even at the moment – is filled with joy and the wonder of new life,” said Victoria Mazzoni, Lead Midwife at the Princess Royal Maternity in Glasgow.

“Women still come to us and leave happy and grateful, and it’s the best part of being a midwife.

“It fills us with hope every single day, especially in these very difficult times,” added Victoria, who has been a midwife since 1989.

Throughout Greater Glasgow and Clyde there were celebrations planned – and in the wake of Covid-19, these plans have had to be changed in line with staffing and social distancing.

A local baker is preparing three beautiful cakes to donate to each of the Maternity Units at the Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Alexandra Hospital, to acknowledge the work being carried out by staff throughout the pandemic.

There is also a Clubersize session being virtually screened to all the units that day for midwives to take part and enjoy keeping fit and healthy while celebrating the day together safely.

The International Confederation of Midwives first established the idea of the International Day of the Midwife following discussion among Midwives Associations in the late 1980s, then launched the initiative formally in 1992.

Each year, the day gives an opportunity for midwives around the world to think about others in the profession, to make new contacts within and outside midwifery and widen the knowledge of what midwives do for the world.

Evelyn Frame, Chief Midwife, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “All our midwives work hard every day to ensure mothers and their families receive the quality care that they deserve and even now, they carry on doing this very special job in the midst of a pandemic.

“This has meant that student midwives have joined us early into the NHSGGC family and I want to extend a very warm welcome to them today and wish them every success in their careers.”

Evelyn added: “Being a midwife is a very privileged job. Welcoming a baby into your family is a major life event and it’s a huge honour to be a part of that.

“Being able to support a woman through her pregnancy, birth and seeing the family at the end is an amazing thing to do and be a part of.”