International Day of the Midwife celebrated in Herefordshire

Midwives across the county held celebrations today ahead of International Day of the Midwife tomorrow.

Hospital and community midwives, and students, from Wye Valley NHS Trust marked the worldwide celebrations by dressing in historic and modern dress, and showcasing their midwifery inspired cake creations as part of The Great Midwifery Cake Off. 

An information stand was held in Hereford County Hospital reception where midwives shared information with members of the public and visitors.  On the maternity ward each baby’s birth was celebrated with a certificate signed by the midwife in attendance.

Maxine Chong, Head of Midwifery at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “In the last ten years, our midwives have delivered around 18,000 babies at Hereford County Hospital and at home. We are delighted to mark this occasion and this year’s international theme ‘midwives leading the way with quality care’.  We're extremely proud of our midwives and midwifery students, their achievements and dedication to provide high quality care for women and their families.

“Midwifery has changed significantly in the last 70 years since the NHS was first launched in 1948 and there have been many innovations and improvements to provide high quality, safe and compassionate care for women and babies.  

“We offer personalised care for women before, during and after birth, including antenatal education, home births, water births, one to one support around the time of birth, within our maternity ward and in the community, and access to additional specialised support for women choosing to breastfeed, and a breastfeeding app is also available, which can be easily downloaded onto a mobile phone.

“Midwives in Herefordshire benefit from the Trust’s midwifery academy which provides continuous support and training, and last year we introduced cutting edge technology – the lifelike Victoria childbirth simulator, that can be programmed to deliver a baby either naturally, assisted or via caesarean, and provides a fantastic opportunity for all staff that contribute to the safety of mothers and babies.”

Wye Valley NHS Trust secured funding from Health Education England to purchase the simulator ‘Victoria’ of which there are currently only 14 others in the UK.