Not so disillusioned and disgruntled

FROM: Name and address supplied
SUBJECT: Not so disillusioned and disgruntled

Dear editor
I feel compelled to reply to the letters printed from the two midwives who have voiced concerns over the pressures of the job in last year’s February/March and June/July issues of Midwives.

I have worked as a midwife for over 30 years on a busy maternity unit and as I come to the end of my career, I feel saddened at the words that have been written.

No one ever said that our profession would be without its challenges and struggles form its early roots to the present day. There have been times over the years, when I have dragged myself off duty exhausted and wondering how on earth I would return for an early duty the next morning, and the time when I was pregnant walking home after a busy night shift. However I also felt fulfilled and empowered that I could make a real difference to the mothers, newborns and families in my care.

Negativity is very destructive, so much better to look towards negotiating with our managers to find different patterns of care. Risk and time management, supportive networks and prioritising are all helpful tools.

Is this really the message we want to give out to expectant mothers, our work colleagues and new students entering our profession? I suggest reading the work that is currently being done by such pioneering midwives as Heloisa Lassa (Brazil), Angela Sawyer (Ghana) and the work of the White Ribbon Alliance. It made me very humble to know that there are midwives in the world facing pressures and challenges the like of which we in the UK will never encounter.

Come on midwives… crawl out of that black hole… we need to make positive changes and we need to remain focused.