Category: NHS

Being busy as a midwife, Birth, Courage, Kindness, Learning, NHS, Nursing, Teaching, Women's rights

Dashing here to where ? 

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A few months ago I was on a break  with a #FutureMidwife – we were eating a meal at work . The staff room door flew open and a midwife in charge said “I need an observations machine in room 2 right now” the future midwife was up & out of the room before I had chance to think – err she is a lot younger than me : ) 

When she returned I said “did you go into automatic pilot ?” She agreed that she had so here’s what we discussed . 

1.When someone asks you for help ask why -is it an emergency?

2. Allow the process time to reach your brain 

3. If sitting stand up slowly to prepare yourself – if standing think before you start to walk 

4. Respect yourself and your mindfulness as much as the other person – you are equals 

5. Consider your age / fitness / mental well being and why you feel the need to dash 

6. Slow down – put yourself first – if you are young you have a long time to be working – probably into your 60s – each stressful situation shortens your life slightly 

7. If it’s an emergency it’s ok to go into autopilot but realise that you are a valuable so your focus and calm will lead others to be the same . 

Last week I almost bumped into a newly qualified midwife who was ruining out of a room . I said stop ! Are you ok what’s wrong ? “I have to tell shift leader how many cm’s dilated the woman I am with is ” I said “but that’s no emergency – you are 22 you have probably another 44 years to work . So if you continually dash you will eventually burn out . Leaving a room calmly will impact on yourself and the woman you are with – be mindful of yourself”  

The midwife agreed with me and I said don’t promise me – promise yourself to think first then walk – dash only in an emergency situation and running ? Should we be running ? Consider your own safety first . 

Here’s some points  for you all to consider 

Do you dash here & there not stopping to think ? 

Consider your mind and body – slow down a little – be calm – take your time . There are plenty of opportunities to speed up in emergency situations . Don’t put yourself under unnecessary stress if you don’t need to – there is an implication on your health . 

Try this for one day then one week and see how you feel – share your feelings with others , spread the word. 

Here’s my poem 

Dashing About 

When we dash out of a room -we leave no time to think

So thoughts are given less worth than deeds and this might make us sink 

Walk slowly as you think to yourself  and slow your pace right down

Be mindful of your own well being and you’ll never wear a frown x ❤️

Thankyou for reading 

Jenny ❤️ 

Being bullied, Courage, Kindness, Midwifery and birth, NHS, Nursing, Women's rights

Speak Out 

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Please do not see me as anyone special – my philosophy is to learn and to inspire  others to keep going – against the odds. To help others and to reinforce within myself the understanding that feeling shame is ok , that to be embarrassed is fine and to feel vulnerable is to be human . I am reading Brene Browns book Rising Strong and now realise that it’s ok not to be strong all the time. I try to stay humble and kind. 
Just recently I’ve been reading a lot about hierarchy and what it means . Some say social media does not flatten hierarchy perhaps it doesn’t but it does connect you to people you may never find the time to meet or talk to in person . 

THIS WAS WRITTEN IN 2007 I have heard of stories about bullying in the NHS and I have been on the receiving end – the word bullying to me dehumanises the people who are actually carrying out the behaviour and cruelty they are ‘bullies ‘

In May 2015 Marie Claire Magazine published an article about nursing and the bullying culture CLICK HERE to read – it has many parallels to midwifery . Sadly this issue is talked about and highlighted as wrong but still it continues . 

Jacques Gerrard is   @JacqueGRCM on twitter – Jacques gives a powerful presentation on how bullying and undermining behaviour can affect someone’s work and be detrimental to a midwives’ health. Also Jacques promotes the  RCOG & RCM JOINT TOOLKIT on challenging and identifying bullying behaviour . 

Bullying can include questioning practice , being gossiped about , being marginalised, ostracised Forcing to retrain when not necessary and being  

 given an excessive or inappropriate workload . It can also include things like not being valued for the work you do , and not being supported . It takes immense strength to challenge bullies and to let them see that you are not affected by them when in fact you might be – this is displaying a strong exterior . a person  on the receiving end of bullying may develop mental illness and physical symptoms . The following are some of the effects of being bullied 

…. anxiety, headaches, nausea, ulcers, sleeplessness, skin rashes, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, tearfulness, loss of self-confidence, various illnesses of the organs such as the kidneys, thoughts of suicide…. 

People who are being bulliied  should be aware that their employer has a duty to protect them and make them safe . The Trade Inion Congress has solid advice on challenging and recognising bullying TRADE UNION CONGRESS – ADVICE TO HELP YOU IF YOU ARE BEING BULLIED –

As today is #SpeakOut day against bullying I’ve been reading on this  ANTI-BULLYING WEBSITE how to train to become an anti-bullying ambassador and this training  involves school children and adults in schools, the workplace and the community . 

It’s time to challenge any form of bullying and to consider how we treat others . Do you value your colleagues or do you snipe about them ? Do you include them or leave them to flounder on unsupported and lonely .

Bullies make up about 20% of the workforce so we can out number them and challenge . Only two weeks ago I saw a fellow colleague blatantly being targeted and I did something about it . Don’t get me wrong it was hard to speak out but once I did I had feedback from others that they had gained courage to speak out . 

It’s time to address the bullies and help them to see that their actions and behaviours can have a  long term detrimental effect on A person , the whole of society and health . If you are beng bullied don’t be a victim speak out , seek advice tell your friends , keep a diary and get some support from your union representative . If you are not in a union join one . 

Let’s all be courageous and make the world a better place to be in 

Thank you for reading 

Jenny ❤️

Courage, Kindness, Learning, NHS, Teaching

Teaching and learning 

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Let’s imagine you are being taught how to do something . How you learn this task / skill / procedure is totally dependent upon a combination of factors . 

1 The environment – it may be calm or chaotic – the temperature , lighting and atmosphere and the place itself will all impact on the outcome 

2. The people present and their attitudes , personalities and beliefs . Also their own knowledge can impact on your ability to teach / learn or take in new information . 

3. Your prior knowledge or experience . How you feel about teaching and / or your teacher . If you are the learner your current state of mind / fears / previous experiences and self awareness. 

4. What is being taught ? If it’s an intricate task this will require intense patience by the person doing the teaching towards the learner . The teachers ability to step back in time and recall their own self as the learner in the same situation . For example if you drive a car  try to imagine yourself learning to drive all over again . Re-live the feelings you had when you first took control of a car . Are you kind to new learner drivers on the road? 

5. Time – how much time is available ? Is it going to be a rushed process – or is there plenty of time ? 

6. Preparation – what is ready to teach the task or skill . Do others have roles within the task and are you ready to teach / learn – have you read around the subject 

7. Compassion – a compassionate teacher will allow a learner to gain more from them – than one who is harsh – a compassionate teacher will hold back negative emotions as much as possible and give praise and encouragement so that the learner relaxes. Positive affirmation will not only allow the learner  to grow but also the teacher . 

8. Consideration – thinking of how the learner may feel shows kindness and allows learning to take place . The learner must not assume a subservient role as he/she must value the importance of being a learner . 

9.Feedback – it’s no use doing all the above & not reflecting together about how both parties felt about the situation . Honesty with one another allows the learner and the teacher to grow and develop positively . 

10. Variety – a one off teaching session is not always the best thing , but it might be the the only opportunity . Its just as important to have a variety of teachers and reflect on how you learn from each of them as much as it is to have a variety of learners to see how you develop and adapt different styles of teaching . 

11. Equality -There should be no hierarchy in teaching and learning – both parities must feel equal and be respectful  towards each other’s needs and planned outcomes . 

Embrace teaching and learning – both are intertwined . They help us to develop and to make the world a better place . Never stop learning – value and share knowledge but also listen carefully to all voices – be kind to one another 

Thankyou for reading I

❤️Jenny ❤️ 

Courage, Kindness, NHS, Nursing

Listening and initiative 

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Sometimes you may be told or asked to do something within your role at work . You have choices 

1.obey do as you are told 

2. Question why and discuss the options with the other person – you must  give sound évidence and / or explore feelings as to why you feel this way 

3. Decide against it – investigate the situation on your own and show initiative – keep safety and kindness as your prime outcomes  and aim 

Éveryone in every organisation should have a valid and listened to voice – sometimes others see things or situations that others might not be aware of . 

If you are the person being challenged take time to listen , appreciate that the other persons story is just as valid as yours . A senior role does not signify a reason to avoid being challenged . 

When the matter is resolved or not as the case may be – think carefully 

1. Is/Was either person showing initiative ? 

2. Did the challenge improve patient experience ? 

3. Did both parties feel equal in thoughts , voices and deeds ?

4. Was feedback positive or negative ? 

I have seen situations in my career where junior staff have challenged senior staff and been right but the matter has been brushed aside . In fact the junior team member was displaying leadership but due to the hierarchical view of the senior person no praise or feedback was given . 

This is a lost opportunity – to value a colleague to help them on their journey. Also to improve patient care .

When situations happen always look at the bigger picture . WHO is gaining ? WHO is losing out ? 

Are you developing leaders within your organisation or are you squashing them ? 

Listen to all voices matter how junior or senior – question in your own mind “would I ask that of myself ” evaluate feedback give praise and be thankful for initiative . 

Be a listening and compassionate leader 

Thank you for reading 

Jenny 

Kindness, Midwifery and birth, NHS, Women's rights

The Suffragette film and midwifery 

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The Suffragette film has so many parellels in my life as a midwife and also as a single mother that I just have to write about it 

As a midwife I see the strength and courage of women on a daily basis – I also see vulnerability , sadness , wisdom and grief . 

These emotions and traits are also part of me and every midwife  and must be recognised and valued 

Until I “found” myself through social media I was almost lost and felt  that  I’d never fit in – through the power of twitter I have found my place and I’ve  gained #courageButter . I have  connected with brilliant inspiring midwives, future midwives, doulas, obstetricians and several others who are not necessarily birth workers but who embrace the fact that birth is part of our psyche . 

We are all born therefore it is crucial that any birth is a positive experience for a woman,  her baby/babies and her family – be that blood family and/or friends . 

A great resource and a global voice for birth is the Positive Birth Movement founded by Milli Hill  @millihill on twitter also look for @birthpositive . Any birth can and should be a positive experience whether it occurs at home , a midwifery led unit , a labour ward or an operating theatre .  I see it as part of my role to make that happen as do many other UK and global midwives and birthworkers  . 

The suffragettes tried peace first and were ignored so then they resorted to different tactics – I wonder how they would have rejoiced to be able to use social media to spread their campaign 

In the film their determination to smash windows and destroy communications within London are portrayed as effortless  and without thought – but I’m sure in their hearts they felt scared and questioned themselves – they had families to support and were expected to show a sort of unwritten compliance to adhere to societies views of what a woman should BE or Do . When they rebelled against this they were shunned by neighbours friends and attacked. 

This leads me to a question”What does society expect of a midwife ?” 

A ‘NICE’ person who chooses to care for women through pregnancy labour , birth and early motherhood ? OR a courageous person who fights for the rights of all women . 

So ask yourselves this “What exactly does the NHS expect of a midwife ” 

To act as an employee , to comply , to conform? Or to question practice regularly to be rebellious for the good of others , to champion women’s causes ? To help each child have the BEST possible start in life by ensuring that each woman gets top quality care and prolonged skin to skin contact at birth (How could i not mention skin to skin as  Jenny The M ?) 

Does the NHS expect us to shout out that there is a shortage of midwives ? Should we declare that in most maternity units midwives are not always having a break ?-that they work extra hours unpaid to provide support to their colleagues and also  that if midwives were mainly men our pay would be better. Taking  a decision to ‘strike’ was not an easy one  for any midwife but it raises awareness of our cause and I am proud that the RCM and Unison supported us all and stand by us 

My advice is not to ask what others expect of you but to look inside your own heart and ask what you expect of yourself 

I’m suggesting you all try to be suffragettes for midwifery – challenge practice , stick with those who encourage you , reflect regularly , embrace change and do the right thing  – the best is yet to come … 

 

  

  

NHS

Busy midwives 

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This is written for all the midwives out there . I have gathered comments from private messages and discussions on Facebook around what happens to us in times when Maternity Units are short staffed / have an increased workload/the impact of grief or emergency situations/ when Drs are too busy to attend the area 

First of all it’s very important to reasses situations and recognise the women and babies who require high priority care .  

 

Delegate a staff representative to inform the women & families that the unit is busy and give apologies – communication is very important and far better to explain the situation which may resolve,  than to say nothing and leave families floundering and searching for clarity & information . If you envisage a delay be honest about it .Do not ignore people. 

Inform the supervisor of midwives on call and the team leader , if this brings no support escalate yourself – we are all responsible and managers are not mind readers – again communication is the key . Better to avert an incident and keep the momentum of the staff than wait until something goes wrong . 

Try to think strategically . If caring for someone who will need take home medication then start the main body of the electronic discharge to make the Drs load a bit lighter. In doing this you also streamline the woman’s paper  journey through the system . 

NHS staff are legally entitled to their breaks – so make sure you know who has had a break and who has not . If you are a leader you should show staff that you have had a break even if shorter than normal. Staff who feel cared for and valued work more effectively . We should all help one another . 

File each paper record  at each point of contact – I think of this as ‘record housekeeping’ Write each entry into notes as it has happened – this will prevent record keeping errors , contemporaneous records are much more accurate . Try hard to keep midwifery notes at each individuals bedside -not piled up en masse in the office . If every midwife files notes in an organised fashion then the midwife completing the discharge will have less  to do . 

Make the women who are unwell the priority .  Delegate a member of staff to give a several women and families a group   “going home” information chat this will reduce workload and is effective time management skill . 

Ensure all medications are on time – women should be made aware when their treatment is due / times of appointments / scans etc – it’s no good if the only person on the area that knows is busy – true woman centred care means that women know what’s going on and this means times and schedules . 

Some relatives are happy to help their partners / sisters / daughters / friends with a wash and if you explain that as the area is busy it might be useful – some women want a midwife or maternity support worker to help them which is part of our role . 

Utilise and praise your maternity support workers – their role is invaluable they are not there to “make beds” but can perform venepuncture / observations / help with infant feeding support / take urgent samples  to the lab / be the eyes and ears of the area 

Try not to rush / dash / get stressed – you are doing the best you can – keep telling yourselves that – be proud 

Plan a meeting every two hours standing to reassess the situation to ensure that staff have equal workloads  – keep it fair .  

At the end of the shift write down how you all felt and fill out an incident form highlighting key points . Its ok for other staff to say “yesterdays over” they are right but unless reflection and feedback take place which pick out the positive and negatives how will we ever learn  ? 

In times of stress it’s all too easy to get annoyed but I’d like you all to take on Brene Browns advice “Every person is doing their best”  

Finally I’d like to recommend this  to all of you click  HERE  – if you are busy & can’t think straight it will help you to realign yourselves – it’s also very useful for women & partners  who are finding it hard to relax – a “switch off from everything ” a time treat that will improve concentration and promote self worth – thanks to Olvinda Armshaw for recommending it.  It focuses on calm & breathing and refreshes you in the time it takes to boil an egg : ) 

I hope my advice helps you in some small way – you are all amazing – but you are midwives not soldiers – don’t be scared of saying “ENOUGH” – to do so is courageous , valiant and it’s the right thing – speak out , try your best and remember how wonderful you all are 

Be extra specially vigilant for signs of burnout in yourself and others and don’t give yourself a hard time if you feel unwell – seek help & be kind to one another . 

It’s good to thank everyone and have a group hug – positive actions reinforce good feelings 

Thankyou for reading

Jenny  

NHS

National Poetry Day 

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When i think of all the people  who tweet

I smile to myself as I skip down the street 

They’re  always “there” whenever “there” maybe 

Waiting and responding to a tweet from you or me

Cheering one another up along life’s highway 

With a quote or a saying to brighten our day 

Evidence based practice or new research innovation 

Sharing positivity across all nations 

Or perhaps good news they just wish to share 

Even just a hello to see if someone cares 

Social media is truly social  – connecting others on a level that’s totally global 

So all I’m saying in this short ditty is 

“You don’t have to “fit in” you don’t need to be witty 

Just Join the twitter brigade of positivity 

soon you’ll be skipping down the street just like me 

Follow the ones who are shining out loud

and be a tweeter – join in – you’ll soon feel proud ❤️

@JennyTheM 

 

Cancer, Courage, Dying, Kindness, Midwifery and birth, NHS, Nursing

Dedicated to my mum Dorothy ❤️ you gave me courage 

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I really care about kindness to others and I want others to feel it /share it  

 /learn it . I also want people to see courage in action in their working lives. Life throws some hard stuff at us doesn’t it ? We cant always choose how we begin our lives. 

As a midwife I know that skin to skin contact at birth or afterwards can improve & help to concrete the mother child bond . 

 I’m not trying to upset anyone by harping on – it’s just that I’ve had emails letters and cards from women who had skin to skin contact against all odds and how this small thing that is SO huge impacted so positively on them    – I try to focus on one family at a time and this gets me through my working day – patience with myself / patience with others – however courage is a huge part of me and here’s why …

If my beautiful mum had not contracted cancer , if she had not told me time and time again “I want to die at home” I would not be who I am today – this realisation has taken me years ! 

I have always (and always will)  do my best to step back & see the whole person – not their condition / status / experiences as separate entities but in fact parts of the jigsaw that makes them individual and unique .

 I was 17 years old almost 18 – at sixth form college studying Art /Ceramics & English Lit & Language – totally hooked by Shakespeare and clay , living a normal teenage life at college but at home helping my dad to run his newsagents shop because my mum was becoming less able to . I missed a few deadlines for “essays”  & was summoned to Head of English Dept & after a brief telling off I was “removed” from A level English Literature course  . I was devastated – this was my escape from life – poetry / romance / words / inspiration taken from me in one cruel blow – but I didn’t say to  my teachers “my mum is dying – she hasn’t  got long – help me ” I just carried on and went home and cried . At home I couldn’t ask my dad to help me – his heart was breaking – no one in my family had ever “gone to Uni” what was more important me or my mum ? I accepted my fate . 

I nursed my mum at home until she died -the district nurses taught me how to fill charts in and turn her from side to side so that new soft sheets could be placed under her motherly body – I learnt fast as I wanted to make my mum happy as this made me happy –  seeing her smile at me was priceless . I had finished my A levels and was waiting for results so I was free to be her carer whilst dad ran the shop and my sister Barbara (15) went to school . 

“Our mum” Dorothy fell asleep with me & Barbara lying beside her . It was September 22nd 1978 at 6 pm -she was 53 years young – she’d  lost the ability to speak because of the radiotherapy and brain tumour . She didn’t wake up – it was calm and peaceful – we didn’t scream out we felt happy . Her wish to die at home had been granted -we didn’t realise that  the hard part had only just begun. My mum was courageous – she knew she was going to die and she accepted that .I hardly ever heard her moan about it and she kept a strong smile for her family – I have only just started to appreciate that her courage inspires me through my own life . 

I have missed my mum every single day of my life since then – but I have also thanked her for the times I remember – her encouraging me to do impersonations from being young , her love of baking rubbed off onto me . I recall holidays at Butlins & Pontins with her & my sister  – my dad unable to leave the shop so he couldn’t come with us – what a treat an all girls holiday in the 60s ! We giggled all week and had angel delight & jelly pudding in the “chalet”.  Memories like going to see The Sound of Music , visiting Hornsea Pottery and also her perfume Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps(which I used to secretly pinch) live on with me  – her love of Shirley Bassey Click HERE for one of her favourite songs -This is my life and Elvis Presley  “Return to sender” that she used to sing whilst washing up Watch here she forged memories within me that I treasure every day ❤️

One day after my mum’s death a friend Sophie – who was an enrolled nurse said to me “why don’t you apply to be a nurse ? You were great with your mum and that way you can care for others like you cared for Dorothy” 

Sophie I don’t know where you are today but  “thank you so much” as without your words I would have floundered on what to do which career path to follow  – I became a nurse , then a midwife and I’ve never looked back – very occasionally I’ve imagined my life with my mum getting older and me as a famous potter which I what I wanted to do   – art & ceramics . Instead I work in the Art of Midwifery and I have two amazing children that I value & cherish – so when you read my story & realise there’s more to me than skin to skin – I’d like you to try and see that everyone’s story is different – life makes us who we are for a reason –  try to help others as much as you can -this will improves your quality of life 

I wonder what my mum would say if she could see me now ? 

This blog is dedicated to “Our mum” Dorothy Guiney née Graham 22.2.1925 – 22.9.1978   A wonderful woman, mother,sister,auntie, wife and friend 💛

NHS

I am Uterus

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I am Uterus – I live inside woman. Not all women know me but my purpose is to house future children allow them to grow and develop -I do this in collaboration with women all over the world . I love my job it’s what I’m made for . Sometimes I’m not made quite right or in great shape but I try to be the best I can be . 

I like to be nurtured treated with kindness , compassion and I admire those most who have an innate understanding of my abilities . 

I am not separate I am part of a woman and I partly define womanhood . 

Nothing irks me more or gets me more upset when I am handled badly -If woman I live in is stressed that also stops me from doing my job – that’s not her fault.

 I thrive on love and gentle handling -I work well (when I am helping the child or children that live within me to be birthed ) in an environment that is calm with low levels of muffled noise , natural human oxytocin is my favourite hormone – I’m not so keen on adrenalin – it antagonises me and tends to put me in a rather bad mood so I rebel and go on strike .

Would you like to know something ? I recognise those that respect me rather well – in fact I’ve become an expert at it – so if you see a sister womb of mine that’s “behaved” rather well look at the care she received and you will learn so much . 

Try your best to think how I might perceive you as a person – send out empathy towards me and my woman – take your time – sit down and talk , gentle communication puts me at ease – I am uterus – yours in hormone love  xx 

Midwifery and birth, NHS

Aspire To Inspire at Sheffield Hallam 

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Jenny Clarke 

 On the 30.7.15 I had a wonderful day at Sheffield Hallam University with the future midwives of Cohort 2012.

The day was full of positivity including stories of birth, life stories but most of all stories about how we can all make a difference in the lives of women and families. 

“Miss Titley” presented housekeeping information for the conference in an ‘air steward style’ (her previous job role) – this set the scene and connected all the attendees through laughter and helped us to bond at the beginning of our journey together on #AspireToInspire. We fastened our seat belts in a metaphorical sense and began the vertical climb aspirations and inspiration. 

It was totally fitting that Sheena Byrom OBE (click HERE to see Sheena’s website) was the first speaker introduced to us all by Jenny Mison to talk about “Turning the silence into a Roar”.

Sheena has the ability to make you think hard about your own practice as a midwife and she has a way of instilling courage into your soul. The way that she does this is by giving out current and topical information on global and UK developments within midwifery. Sheena is a midwifery leader who is self-effacing about her own achievements preferring to raise others up through her kind and compassionate words. Sheena promoted the invaluable work of Birthrights , Iolanthe Midwifery and Lancet Midwifery Series,

Sheena also showed the wonderful thought provoking Mat exp Film by Strategic Clinical networks London NHS which you can watch HERE
The conference was raising money for Iolanthe Midwifery Trust and ‘Safe at Last’ charities. 

 The fantastic work of Iolanthe Midwifery Trust click HEREfor more information to allow student midwives and midwives to receive funds to better maternity services was explained by the ambassador Sheena Byrom. 

The Iolanthe Award has already benefited two of the students at Sheffield Hallam, Rosie Hotchin (to become a Wise Hippo Hypnobirthing and Birthing Instructor)and Jenny Mison (Katherine Graves Hypnobirthing Instructor). Rosie and Jenny received the Iolanthe Award this year to receive training to become Hypnobirthing Instructors. Offering this service to women enhances choices and also improves both Rosie and Jenny’s own experiences by equipping them with the techniques, knowledge and empowerment to reduce inequalities ensuring all women get a positive birth experience.
 

Emma Jackson highlighted the importance of recognising child sexual exploitation, and the fantastic charity SAFE@LAST click HEREfor more information . This charity helps young people who are at risk of running away. Emma Jackson gave a harrowing talk about her own experience of sexual exploitation as a 13 year old girl highlighting that there were many lessons to be learned here for midwives and health care workers to be non judgemental build rapport and move forwards with women who are or may still be in this situation. 

 Sheffield’s citywide “One-to-One team” talked about their movement to promote choice in women through offering physiological vaginal breech birth. Helen-Dresner-Barnes (Midwife) and Julia Bodle (Consultant Obstetrician) spoke about how it is pinnacle that the team work with the obstetricians as collaboration is vital to make change happen. They showed films of breech birth and reinforced how vaginal breech birth is a safe option (possibly safer option than elective caesarean sections when looking at those associated risks) as long as certain criteria is met. Collaboration is vital for the future midwives of today as this is an intrinsic part of the curriculum. 

 Joy Kemp of The RCM presented the Global midwifery Project which works to improve maternal mortality rates “Link to Nepal Earthquake Fund at RCM” Joy lives up to her name and truly exudes a joy and value to her role – inspiring others to consider working in countries where health care is underdeveloped by teaching and supporting women and families. 

 

Sheffield City council fund the Doula Project click HERE to read more which enables vulnerable women to receive the support of a doula from the antenatal period through to the postnatal period. This innovative project means that vulnerable women receive positive support and gain the friendship, and an advocate, of their allocated doula.
The woman and the doula are matched up and a relationship is formed which becomes the solid foundation of the pregnancy birth and postnatal period 

 Rosie Hotchin 

 Then I (Rosie Hotchin) introduced my great friend and #twitterbuddy Jenny Clarke. She immediately got the crowd singing, laughing, and joining hands playing the song “hold my hand” by Jess Glynn .Jenny spoke about how social media has been pinnacle at promoting her campaign #skintoskin as part of birth. The long-term impact of women not been given skin-to-skin with their baby was highlighted through a video showing women still become emotional thinking about how they were not facilitated to have this special moment.

Jenny soon got everyone off their seats, to highlight how we can explain to women the benefits of skin-to-skin in every situation by role playing a theatre scene. The wonderful Sally Goodwin was quickly changed into a theatre gown to become the woman, and Jenny showed how we can talk to women to explain the benefits, and actions and tips we can take to ensure this occurs.  It was useful to see the experience of being in theatre from a woman’s point-of-view and the amount of people in the room Simple actions such as speaking to the woman by getting down at her level, using everyday language and ensuring everyone in the room introduces themselves makes a huge difference to her experience. 

Finally, the 2012 cohort brought an end to the conference through thanking their lecturers, students and speakers that have truly aspired to inspire. Sally Freeman (Course Leader) did a marvellous, emotional final speech highlighting how strong and passionate the 2012 cohort are and midwifery is safe in their hands. Cohort 2012 are truly are family, who, without a doubt, will move mountains with the support they have for each other that has already seen many individuals receive marvellous midwifery success in their midwifery career already. They are all an inspiration to each other

.

Jenny Clarke and Rosie Hotchin