To mark International Day of the Midwife this year, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating of all the incredible work midwives and maternity staff have provided during the global crisis.
Over the past year, midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives have gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure they have continued to provide safe and high quality care to women and their families.
Rachel Fulton, Matron of Midwifery Services at NCIC, said: “In a world of uncertainty, upset and change, there is one thing that is certain, babies will keep on coming.
“Between 16th March last year to the same date this year, Maternity services at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital have delivered 2,689 babies – 1,347 boys and 1,341 girls. We have also had 39 sets of twins.
“The staff have shown great commitment, strength and resilience and continue to adapt to the ever changing needs of the service.”
Now is the time to celebrate how our midwives have been there for you during the pandemic.
We encourage you to get involved in the celebrations – ahead of the actual day on 5th May - and show your support for the people behind the masks.
Have you had a baby that was born during the pandemic? Would you like to thank your midwife and share your story of your positive birth experience? If so then email communications.helpdesk@ncic.nhs.uk and tell us:
- You and your partner’s name and your baby’s name
- Where and when you gave birth
- Your thank you message to your midwifery team
- Please also attach a photo if you are happy for it to be shared by the Trust
Rachel added: “The additional demands of PPE and COVID restrictions has added to the already challenging expectations of the role of being a midwife. The overriding positive is the amazing feedback that we have received from our women regarding the fact that while they were fearful of having a baby within a pandemic, they have felt safe, reassured and supported.
“Our team strive every day to try to keep our women’s birth experiences as positive and ‘normal’ as possible, in an otherwise ‘abnormal’ world. I am immensely proud to be part of the Maternity team and want them to receive the recognition they deserve.”
Amanda Kennett, Associate Director of Midwifery at NCIC, said: “Being a midwife is all about trying to make a positive difference to women and their
babies at that vital, precious time.
“Being a midwife is a privilege and it’s a lovely day to celebrate and say thank you for all the care Midwives have given women and families during the pandemic and their unswerving dedication and hard work over the year.”