Highway to Health - Flipbook - Page 6
Kelly
Deputy Consultant Midwife
HOW IS YOUR CAREER
CONNECTED TO HEALTH?
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE AT AGE 15?
A Midwife is the lead healthcare professional for
anyone having a baby in the UK. The Midwife is there
throughout pregnancy, during labour and birth, and
also in the first few weeks of a baby’s life. The role
of the Midwife covers so many aspects of health,
including short-term concerns relating specifically to
the pregnancy, as well as long-term health promotion,
including giving advice around healthy eating, exercise
and smoking.
I knew I really wanted to work in healthcare,
but wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. I
was considering a career as a Doctor, but had also
considered a career in Psychology or Psychiatry. I
don’t think I considered a career in Midwifery until I
was around 18.
WHAT IS YOUR CAREER NOW?
I now work as a Midwife, and have done for the
last 9 years. I’m really glad I pursued a career in
Midwifery because it suits me and my personality so
much better! I’ve spent the last year working as a
Deputy Consultant Midwife, which is a training and
development post, so I can become a Consultant
Midwife in the future.
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FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR JOB
Midwifery is such a unique healthcare profession
because although it is deeply embedded in science,
there is also a real art to it as well. Although Midwives
have to have really good clinical skills, we also have to
learn how to develop relationships with people really
quickly and put people at ease. People who come to
us are often scared, anxious or in pain, so there’s a
real skill in helping that person feel comforted and
reassured.