The end of shift work
I was working my last night shift this week (as some of you will know I am going to start my consultant midwifery training shortly). Stopping of shift work is a massive pull (not to mention not ever having to work Christmas!).
I am so excited about the prospect of doing something different, which will give me a louder voice to make a difference to the service we offer women and the way in which we work as midwives.
A different way to help women
I have so often felt that I wanted to get more involved with what happens ‘behind the scenes’ that leads us to the practice we offer and who knows, maybe I will find something that really makes a big difference. As I came to the end of the night shift, with the inevitable fuzzy head and dehydration, and just before I started to jog to my car (so I get to my bed quicker) there was a feeling of sadness that this was in fact the last one.
A uniquely rapid, but oh so deep bond
One of the main pulls of midwifery for me is the women. That moment when you look each other in the eye and you trust each other. You build that relationship quickly and you adapt your midwifery expertise, like a chameleon, to best suit that woman and couple.
I briefly did an early labour assessment that night for a couple and we immediately clicked. I would have loved to look after them for their birth and meeting their baby. We had the same sense of humour and for that moment, I felt the sadness that I might not get this feeling again.
The privilege of trust
“In reality, all women want this trusting connection, so I will take this knowledge into my next role.”
Whatever my midwife capacity, I will make women feel cared for, knowing that this is the best day of their lives and as midwives we have a huge role in shaping that. So I will leave my current role with a heavy heart but a spring in my step for my next adventure!
