A day as a maternity support worker
Today you're working the mid-morning shift, starting at 11am.
You accompany a midwife visiting a woman in labour who's opted to have a home birth. Your role is to support the midwife, preparing the equipment, helping the woman to the bathroom, rubbing her back and keeping basic observations such as the woman's breathing and colour, her ability to cope with pain and her body temperature.
You help the midwife during the birth, and afterwards make sure the woman is comfortable by giving her a wash, a change of clothing and some refreshment. Afterwards you make sure all soiled equipment and linen is dealt with appropriately.
In the afternoon you join the midwife to help with an education session for new mothers. You help to arrange the room, prepare the teaching materials and welcome the women as they arrive. The work is rewarding and interesting, you meet people from all walks of life and every day you are making a difference to the lives of women and their families.
