A midwife with 15 years of experience has shared the emotional and physical toll of working in a maternity ward, from sleep deprivation to the heartbreak of stillbirth. Speaking anonymously, she described the highs of witnessing first breaths and the lows of dealing with exhausted patients and anxious partners.
She admitted that her biggest fear is making a mistake due to lack of sleep, such as administering the wrong drug or dose. The midwife works three to four 12.5-hour shifts per week, often staying longer when busy, leaving her feeling 'perpetually jet lagged'. She relies on sugary drinks and sweets to keep her energy up, acknowledging her diet suffers due to stress and lack of breaks.
The hardest part of her job is caring for families whose babies die during pregnancy or are terminated for medical reasons. She recalled a case a decade ago where a woman with high blood pressure suffered a placental abruption. 'The fear in their faces is almost too much to bear,' she said, noting that one in 225 pregnancies in the UK ends in stillbirth.
Despite considering quitting, especially during her current maternity leave, she remains dedicated. She urged mothers not to wait if their baby stops moving, saying, 'Don't wait.'
