International Day of the Midwife 2026

#ProudtoBe Newly Qualified Midwives! We are so proud of our newly qualified midwives, here is a few of those who attended our recent preceptorship study day.

The transition from student to registered midwife is a huge undertaking, and we know how important it is that our NQMWs feel supported, valued and able to keep growing in confidence.

Our preceptorship programme is designed to provide a supportive space for learning, reflection and connection, helping newly qualified midwives strengthen their skills, build relationships across the service and feel part of the wider maternity team.

We meet monthly to spend time together, share experiences, learn, reflect and celebrate the contribution they are making to women, babies and families across our services.

A huge well done to all our NQMWs. We are proud to have you working at UHMBT. 
 

#ProudtoBe a midwife, I'm Fiona, its wonderful to be part of a team that assists couples become families in what is an amazing emotional and special life moment.

I always wanted to work in healthcare but after poor experiences on general wards with poorly Grandparents, I then started to look into midwifery. The whole process really fascinated me!

I am so proud to work alongside the team at RLI CDS and ward 17, they work so hard!

#ProudtoBe a midwife at Royal Lancaster Infirmary. I'm Julie, I was inspired to become a midwife following the Birth of my first Nephew and the encouragement of my sister.

I'm so proud of my colleagues and I as we strive to do our best for the women and their families in our care regardless of the obstacles that befall us.

My Band 7 midwifery colleagues and friend Carrie Jones inspire me, I have worked with them for many years, Carrie's dedication shines through and when I need support and encouragement she is there.

Shout out to my fellow midwifery colleagues at the RLI, together we stand strong.

#ProudtoBe a midwife, I’m Hannah, midwifery is such a special career, it has given me purpose and I enjoy my service to others.

I had my daughter at UHMBT when I was 20, and that experience was pivotal for me. The midwives helped me transition those early parenting days, learning how to breastfeed and provide care for my baby girl. They helped me understand how much midwifery matters, both clinically but also emotionally, I was excited to be a mother but also terrified, now with the responsibility for another tiny human. Midwifery is skilled, complex and deeply human work. It requires clinical judgement, emotional intelligence and the ability to see the whole person, not just the pregnancy. I'm proud to be a midwife, its a profession that brings together evidence, compassion and advocacy to support each family to have the best possible start.

I care about improving care and about what women, birthing people, families, students and staff need from our services. My love for learning, education and research has grown from that. I have always been curious about how we move things forward, how we learn from practice, and how we create the conditions for people to feel confident, supported and able to contribute.

I now feel really privileged to be in roles where I can help build capability and capacity across our workforce, supporting colleagues to get involved in research, improvement and education so we have safe and quality care. 

I am a midwife. I am an educator and a leader. All midwives are! I am proud of the work we do, proud of the people coming into the profession, and proud to keep learning alongside them.

#ProudtoBe a midwife! 

UHMBT are delighted to share some wonderful friends and family feedback "I came to South Lakes birth centre to have my 4th child here, this was my second birth at this birth centre. From start to finish the care I received from the midwives and the doctors was amazing. My birth didn’t go to plan, an induction which resulted in a C section which I felt very nervous about. The midwives who took care of me were so comforting and patient with me. Our midwives were called Susan and Comfort, and both midwives took amazing care of me and my son. I felt so comfortable and re assured from coming in on day one until leaving days later. I always tell people how amazing this birth centre is. I’m so thankful for the midwives Susan and Comfort, they really do go above and beyond for the women and babies. I can’t thank them enough. They are both worth their weight in gold. I felt completely looked after and at ease due to these two midwives! Again, thank you for all of your help and guidance during my son’s birth and delivery via C section, and for your care and gentleness afterwards. Susan, if I could chose a midwife every time, I’d pick you without doubt.

Rachel Hall
Welcomed baby boy Koby on 14.03.2026 at 11pm 

#ProudtoBe a midwife. I'm Bethany, I was inspired to become a Midwife after the wonderful care I received myself. I was in owe of the kindness and compassion I received and I too wanted to be able to provide this level of care to women and families.

I am proud to be a Midwife when the women I care for inform me that they feel they have been listened to. I also love building relationships with women and their families and being able to provide compassionate care on a daily basis for the women and families of my community.

When thinking who inspired me to become a Midwife I think of every Midwife I had the joy of coming into contact with myself when I was having my daughter - each and every one inspired me to become the Midwife I am today and I am constantly reminded of that incredible compassionate care I received now these Midwives are my colleagues and friends. The Midwives that once supported me through my own pregnancy and birth are now supporting me through my journey as a NQM.

#ProudToBe a midwife, I'm Chloe, currently on maternity leave and I feel so proud to have been personally cared for by the team I work with whilst giving birth. It's so surreal being on the other side of things but I completely and wholeheartedly trusted those caring for me and my baby and that made me feel so proud to be a midwife and to work with such an incredible group of people.

There are so many midwives that have impacted my work and so many other incredible colleagues but I think the most inspirational people are the women and families that allow me to participate in their care.

A huge shout out to the SLBC community and ward teams particularly Ellie Barton and Victoria Ramos for the incredible care they provided me during pregnancy and birth.

“On International Day of the Midwife (5 May), we take a moment to celebrate midwifery across the globe, we recognise the crucial role midwives have to play in pregnancy, birth and beyond, impacting positively on maternal, perinatal and family health.

“In Morecambe Bay we are so very proud of our midwifery teams who deliver outstanding compassionate care every day. This was reflected in the latest Care Quality Commission inspection when our maternity services were rated as 'good' - a huge achievement and testament to the colleagues we have the privilege of working alongside.

“From the Senior Midwifery Leadership team, we express our heartfelt gratitude for all that you do, for your knowledge and skills, for your dedication and for the compassionate way in which you help families to navigate some of the most profound moments in their lives.

“Congratulations on this very special day for our profession.”

Susan Foyle 
Alison Mayor 
Caroline Cowman 
Chantelle Winstanley 
Carey Galbraith 

#ProudtoBe a midwife. I'm Lyndsay, I knew from the age of 16 that I wanted to be a Midwife. I started out as a Maternity Support Worker to gain a real insight into the role and quickly realised it was exactly where I wanted to be. As I didn’t have A-levels at the time, I trained first as an Adult Nurse and spent two years working as an Acute Stroke Nurse, which helped build my confidence, resilience, and understanding of caring for people at very vulnerable times.

I later completed the 18‑month fast‑track midwifery degree course and have spent most of my midwifery career working as a community midwife and within a continuity team. This is where I feel most connected to midwifery – building relationships, offering personalised care, and supporting families over time.

I feel very privileged to have supported so many families and continue to love being a midwife. I’m now in a role as a Community Matron where I can also support Midwives across Morecambe Bay and help improve our services, which I find incredibly rewarding. One of my biggest influences has been a former community manager who supported me as a new Band 6 midwife. The way she led, with kindness and belief in others, has had a lasting impact on how I approach leadership today.

#ProudtoBe a midwife, I'm Nicky a labour ward co-ordinator and fetal surveillance lead at South Lakes Birth Centre. This is me in 1994 as a trainee midwife, I still feel the privilege of supporting and guiding a woman through the most vulnerable experience of her life and getting her through it, empowering women to accept their amazing bodies and physiology and make each unique experience the best it can be.

I knew I wanted to make a difference but knew deep down I couldn't do adult nursing, I wanted to make a difference and support women through their birth journey regardless of where it ended.

My mentor during training was knowledgeable, kind, considerate and caring, she taught me so much about caring for people how I want to be cared for myself, I am still in contact today 32 years later. On the flip to that there was also a Sister that was the exact opposite, and I swore that I would never be the judgemental, apathetic, terror that she was or how she made people feel (patients, colleagues or peers)

#ProudtoBe a midwife at South Lakes Birth Centre, I'm Alice, Midwifery is the best job in the world. I love what I do and I love helping to make a difference to people's experiences.

My mentor, Chantel is probably my most inspirational person. She taught me to be a watch and wait midwife, to trust women and birthing people and trust their bodies.

I'd like to shout out to my colleagues at SLBC. For supporting me, encouraging me and guiding me throughout the years.

#ProudtoBe a midwife at South Lakes Birth Centre, I'm Natasha, I have always had an interest in women’s health. I wanted to be an advocate for women and have the opportunity to make a difference to such an important time in their lives.

I'm proud to be a midwife, in building a relationship with women in my care and seeing their strength and determination during labour and birth.

I was inspired by a midwife called Rachel who was a mentor that I had during my training in York. She was an incredible midwife. Her support and teaching shaped the midwife I am today.

I'd like to shout out to Ellie Pawson for being the best midwife I could have wished for when I had my daughter.

#ProudtoBe a midwife. I'm Rebecca. The person who inspired me to become a midwife was my Auntie Betty, she was a fantastic Nurse and Midwife who had great stories!

I feel most proud by the thanks and appreciation from women & their families, when the team work is on point and when I support midwives to develop their skills, I’m very proud of our team.

Midwifery is a team sport & I am inspired by my colleagues everyday when I see them go above & beyond to provide exceptional care for women , birthing people and their families. 

#ProudToBeAMidwife

At UHMBT, we are incredibly proud to support and celebrate the next generation of midwives.

Pictured here are our University of Cumbria 1st Year Student Midwives, who are beginning their journey into one of the most privileged, challenging and important professions. We are also proud to work with student midwives from the University of Lancashire, University of Salford and University of Bolton.

Midwifery is facing real challenges. Globally, there is an estimated shortage of around 900,000 midwives, and in the UK the Royal College of Midwives has previously estimated a shortfall of around 2,500 midwives. At the same time, newly qualified midwives are facing uncertainty, with an RCM survey reporting that around one in three had not secured a post. We need to invest in future midwives, support students through training, and ensure there are secure employment pathways when they qualify.

To our student midwives: we see you, we value you, and we are proud to be part of your journey.

#ProudtoBe Practice Education Midwives. I'm Alice and my new Practice Education colleague Kiva. 

Alice says, I decided to be a midwife after completing my first degree, and doing some work experience where I witnessed birth loss and birth joy. Both of these really spoke to my wish to be with women, and develop relationships as I saw some incredible examples of continuity. 

Now I've moved towards a passion of education and research as that's gets me excited! My favourite part of my role is prop development! Here you can see Kiva and I sewing a prop vagina into some cycling shorts, holding a plastic sack containing water, a doll and faux umbilical cord so that we can simulate ruptured membranes and umbilical cord prolapse.  

I am continuously inspired by the team who are patient facing and learn continuously from everyone's experience. ❤️

Kiva says I've worked as a midwife for 8 years, and since my student days I have been particularly passionate about community care and supporting homebirth. I value the opportunity to build relationships with couples and families, supporting them through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. However, recently I have transitioned in to the education team, as with the ever evolving landscape of midwifery I feel strongly about motivating and supporting fellow midwives to keep women and families at the centre of care, whilst delivering the highest standard of practice. 

#ProudtoBe a midwife at Royal Lancaster Infirmary. I'm Laura, when I was little girl I used to watch 'Jimmy's' and I was obsessed with watching the babies being born, from a young age I always aspired to be a 'Midwife'.

I'm proud to support families through the most profound moments pregnancy and birth. It combines skilled evidence based care with compassion, allowing me to advocate for and empower families while keeping them safe. The trust placed in you, along with the opportunity to build new meaningful connections and witness new life begin makes the role deeply rewarding and fulfilling. I will never not be amazed whilst watching new life be brought into the world it makes my heart so happy.

I've worked with so many aspirational midwives who have shaped me into the midwife I am today I cant name just one. I hope I take something from all of them.

#ProudtoBe a midwife at Royal Lancaster Infirmary. I'm Charlotte, I was inspired to become a midwife becuase of the care I received during my pregnancy had a profound impact on my journey into midwifery. I was supported by a powerhouse team of community midwives, Jane Tomlinson-Wightman and Janet Naylor, who both sadly since retired. The personalised care they provided was truly second to none. Their approach went beyond the clinical skills and they demonstrated compassion, continuity and were always my fiercest advocates. This experience shaped my expectations of maternity care and also inspired my own values as a future midwife.

I'm so proud to be a midwife, there are moments, often when I am sitting in traffic on my way home and I think of the contrast between my day and the person in the car ahead. They have no awareness that I have just watched a baby take its first breath and watched two people become a family. As midwives, we are privileged to be present at one of the most significant and life-changing moments in a person’s life, and it is impossible to take for granted just how special that role is. We are invited into a space of vulnerability, where we share in both the joy of families’ beginnings and the sorrow of their losses. If I can offer even a sense of safety and reassurance during those moments, then I know I have done something meaningful. To me, that is the true beauty of midwifery.

I'm inspired by my dad, who passed away during my final year of midwifery training. He taught me that strength is not about avoiding difficulties, but about how you face them, how you keep moving forward and refuse to give up. He never got to see me in my blue uniform but I carry this with me, especially on the hardest days, and it has shaped the way I approached both my training and now my practice.

I'd like to shout out to my fellow Band 5 RLI midwives, we are now over half way through our first year as midwives and the feedback we receive from families regularly shows that we have chosen the right career. You all have the kindest hearts both in and out of work and I’m very grateful for you all.

#ProudtoBe a midwife across the Bay, I'm Kirstie and I came back home to the UK, after two years in Romania, training Nursery Nurses. I needed a stability and a career. I put three pins in a map of the UK and Leicester, De Montfort University were the first to offer me a place, which I accepted.

I hated the sight of blood, vomit and faeces and almost fainted at my first 5 placental births, but I'm still her 32 years later and loving it. 

My first community mentor in Leicester inspired me to look further than the UK and I have now worked in India, Albania, Ethiopia, Sudan training midwives, and learning different cultures and languages and midwifery practices. 

I'd like to shout out to all Professional Midwifery Advocates (PMA's) who do so much to support their colleagues, going above and beyond to enable and support staff working through their own traumas.

#ProudtoBe a midwife. I'm Paula. My mum inspired me to become a midwife. She was a nurse and health visitor and loved her roles. She remarried and gave birth to my siblings when I was between the ages of 12-16. I vividly remember her being in early labour before going into hospital and wanting to help and support her. 

This picture taken in 1998 at Helme Chase Maternity Unit when I was a junior midwife. I think it is just a privilege to support women at this pivotal point of their lives. They will remember key moments of their births but especially kindness, compassion and professionalism.

I have met many inspirational midwives, Registrars and Consultants during my career however it was a midwifery lecturer in my training that inspired me. She was still clinically based, so knowledgeable and was real advocate for promoting physiological birth.

#ProudtoBe a midwife at South Lakes Birth Centre, I'm Chantelle,  was inspired to be a midwife seeing my brother being born on my 15th birthday and my own experience of childbirth having my first child.

I'm proud to be doing what I always wanted, to be with women.

I have been inspired by my original mentors at Blackpool, Cathy Anderton, Jaquie Bullock and Joan Thornton. Also Labour Ward Coordinator at the time, Kate Charles.

I'd like to shout out to everyone at the SLBC, you all work so hard!!!