International Day of the Midwife to be celebrated in Limerick
MIDWIVES from University Maternity Hospital have been visiting secondary schools in Limerick to promote midwifery as a career for International Day of the Midwife.
This year, the theme is ‘Together Again: From Evidence to Reality’ and will reflect the efforts of midwives globally to action evidence from major international reports on midwifery towards meaningful change, both for the profession, and the woman and families who midwives care for.
On Friday, May 5, the celebration will focus on the importance of midwifery and the improvements needed globally to ensure all pregnant women have access to qualified midwives and appropriate maternity services.
In the run-up to their annual day of commemoration, midwives from UMHL have been reflecting on their careers, with some participating in the outreach events at Limerick schools.
Clinical Midwife Manager at UMHL, Stephanie Ryan, commented: “The most enjoyable aspect of my role is the opportunity to care for women at such a crucial stage in their lives, it is an honour and privilege.”
Her colleague, Rachel Hannon, added: “While my day is very busy, and filled with variety, my favourite part is meeting with the women who attend our hospital. I love to chat with them, and it’s a real privilege to ensure that women always feel safe and feel involved in their care. My priority is always to ensure that every woman feels both safe and heard.”
To celebrate International Day of the Midwife, UMHL will host a special lunch event where midwifery staff will give presentations on their roles. And, commemorative birth certificates will be given to the mums of all babies born in UMHL on the International Day of the Midwife.
Director of Midwifery at UL Hospitals Group, Eileen Ronan, said that few things in life are more important than making sure that each woman and newborn baby has access to the best possible care, before, during and after birth.
“A midwife prepares women and their families for the birth of their new baby, and is a vital presence during all stages of pregnancy, labour and the early postnatal period. As a career, midwifery is diverse and progressive, with options available in clinical, management, education and research roles. Throughout their training, midwives can gain experience and skills across different specialist areas, such as neonatal, theatre, Perinatal Mental health, & Community Midwifery Integrated services,” she said.
Ms Ronan concluded: “It’s appropriate that this year in particular, we use the platform of International Day of the Midwife not just to celebrate our successes and the importance of midwifery, but also to remind women of the midwifery care and services that are ever-present at UMHL throughout the extraordinary times we’re living through as a result of COVID-19.”