Research midwife at Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group writes to mark International Day of the Midwife

Fifteen years ago, I started my midwifery career at Lincoln County Hospital, writes Amanda Mumby-Croft, research midwife at Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group.

I moved between wards and clinics, gaining skills and being part of many pregnancy and birth stories; some positive, some negative but all of which I felt an overwhelming privilege to be with women and their families at such a special time in their lives.

International Day of the Midwife celebrated in May, is an opportunity to recognise the vital role midwives play in healthcare across the world and prompts us midwives to take a moment to reflect on our vocation. For me, it is about being ‘with woman’ (the meaning of the word ‘midwife’) and having a positive influence on that woman’s pregnancy and birth journey. I am passionate about supporting women to make their own choices about their care; and especially facilitating and promoting homebirth. For many low-risk women, research has found homebirth is as safe as hospital birth. I have worked with women who chose to give birth at home and with support, they have gone on to achieve their dream of a normal vaginal birth in their own home.

Which leads me nicely, to my present role as a research midwife; combining my two passions of midwifery and research. This is a new role for Lincolnshire’s hospitals, enabling me to bring new studies to our maternity services and with a wider team, help embed research to improve patient care.

We are currently recruiting pregnant women for the PANDA trial, which looks at the benefits of starting women on iron tablets early in their pregnancy. PANDA stands for Primary prevention of maternal ANaemia to avoid preterm Delivery and other Adverse outcomes. It is for pregnant women under 16 weeks' gestation.

This study could massively improve outcomes for mums and babies. Most pregnant women will be eligible for this research, and it’s hoped that the results will ultimately contribute to changes in national guidance.

The NHS Blood and Transplant website has further details on this study. Find out more here.

If you would like to be involved, please email ulth.research-and-innovation@nhs.net

For anyone who is interested in becoming a midwife – think about why you want to do it – make sure it’s for the right reasons and you will become a great midwife. It certainly isn’t for the faint hearted and probably not the easiest career, but take it from me, it really is 100% worth it!

The United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals Trust website has information about NHS jobs here.