We’re marking International Day of the Midwife (Monday 5 May) with a special day of celebrations.

It’s a day for midwives across the world to be recognised for the care that they provide to women and their babies.
 
Our maternity units are among the busiest in the UK. Last year, more than 7,000 babies were born at our Trust, supported by 364 midwives from 30 different countries.
 
We held a special day of celebration events to recognise and thank the work of midwives at our Trust. Nicola Neville, from Corringham in Essex, has worked as a midwife at our Trust since 2011.
 
She works in Queen’s Birthing Centre for one day a week and spends the rest of her week out with the Ilford North community team.

 
Nicola gave birth last week to her third daughter Delilah, who is one week old and was born at 7lbs 7oz.

All three of her children were born here and last week she was looked after by her own colleagues including her team leader.
 
Nicola said:

It’s been amazing and I’ve been really supported.

Anita Danquah, 31, from Chadwell Heath, works at Queen’s Hospital and has rotated between the labour ward and triage ward. 

Anita said:

I really love being at Queen’s, I qualified here and decided to stay. It’s busy, I like it and I’m learning every day and that’s helping me grow as a midwife.

Josephine Ofori, 31, of Romford, joined BHRUT in July last year as an international midwife from Ghana.

 
She has also rotated from different wards including the labour ward, the day assessment unit and onto Coral ward at Queen's Hospital.
 
Josephine said:

The team is very supportive, if you do well you will be acknowledged and they give you excellent feedback on what you do, which helps you in your development.
 
Originally I wanted to be a doctor but I decided to become a midwife because I love helping people and you get a big sense of fulfilment when you help somebody.
 
Upon becoming a midwife I realised how rewarding it was to help women give birth successfully. It gives me that sense of fulfilment.