Media information For immediate release
Date: 1 May
2009
Make A Wise Career Choice, Be A Midwife
The world needs midwives, now more than ever.
That's the theme of this year's International Midwifery Day, Tuesday 5 May, and Waikato District Health Board is getting behind the campaign.
Clinical midwife director, Corli Roodt said every childbearing woman deserves to give birth in a safe and supported environment, for herself and her baby.
"Midwives play a vital role in this, providing highly skilled and expert care for both mothers and their newborns.
"Midwives follow the journey of a mother from conception through to postnatal while supporting families and women with the transition to motherhood.
"The rewarding aspects of the role are unlimited, the support and kindness, the agonies and grief shared with so many mothers and babies over the years make midwives the silent heroines.
"We're hoping this special day encourage more people to choose midwifery as a profession and I'd also like to take the time to thank our local midwives for their contribution to health," she said.
Waikato DHB is currently advertising for more midwives.
Estimates are that the world will need 350,000 more midwives by 2015.
Aimee Smith, a midwife at Waikato Hospital says she chose midwifery because of the close contact with families.
"Midwifery was always something I had wanted to do, I witnessed my first birth when I was fourteen so guess this must have been where the desire to become a midwife started. I took the plunge in 2006 and started my training.
"I enjoy working with women and their families, every situation is different and brings different challenges and rewards," she said.
Natalie Chapman, also a midwife at Waikato Hospital made the decision to train in midwifery while on her big O.E and has never looked back.
"I never had a particular passion for a profession, so preferred to keep my options open but during my travels I met a vibrant young British midwife who opened my eyes to the possibility of pursuing a career in midwifery
"It's proved to be an extremely rewarding career choice. I'm constantly learning and developing new skills.
"No two days are the same and I get to work one on one with women from all walks of life," she said.
Both women are fully qualified with a Bachelor of Midwifery from Waikato Institute of Technology.
Ms Roodt said they have some dedicated and passionate midwives at Waikato Hospital and out in the community but are always looking for more to join the team.
If you are interested
in becoming a midwife contact Corli Roodt, email:
roodtc@waikatodhb.govt.nz.
ENDS