In the bulletin this week:
– Perinatal Post-Mortem Policy Statement: Specialised Perinatal Pathology Services
– Healthwatch England launches new maternal mental health campaign
– Better Births Event: New Date 
– Maternity and neonatal services refreshed delivery plan survey – we want your views 
– #StartWithPeople Virtual Event
– Barriers to accessing prenatal and postnatal care for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women and birthing people 
– Launch of the Aspiring Midwifery Leaders Programme
– Reminder to Register – Maternity and Neonatal Services Listening Sessions 
– CNST Safety Action 2 – MSDS Data
– Spotlight on Social Media 
– Look after your wellbeing
– Raising Concerns
– Dates for your diary

Balancing family life with two young children a husband and seeing her eleven other siblings, Eileen started working three nights a week on the Women and Children’s Maternity unit. Over the span of her career, although impossible to say for sure, Eileen estimates that she has delivered hundreds of babies recalling a night where there were 15 births one after the other. “You can have nights like that where you’re supporting mother after mother and others where you get to nurture that time with expecting and new mums. No day is truly the same and as a midwife you cherish each of those special moments.”

Several years later, once her children had started school, Eileen accepted a position as a community midwife which involved seeing new and expecting mums at home. Looking back Eileen named this as her fondest memory highlighting the success of the continuity of care service that she helped develop and deliver. “It was lovely you could meet a new mummy who was going through her journey for the first time and be with her throughout it all, I’ve also seen mothers’ multiple times and seen their families grow delivering babies of the babies I had delivered… there is something magical about that.”

After an accident Eileen moved roles to a day shift team leader back at Blackpool Victoria Hospital where she was less hands on but used her years of experience to guide and lead teams of midwives and new students. “We always describe our team as a work family, we are here for each other during those celebrations, life’s challenges and darkest times. My colleagues and friends play such a big part in why the team here in Blackpool are so special.”

In 2008, Eileen officially retired as a full-time midwife, Deputy Head of midwifery at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, Lisa Fitzgerald echoed the thoughts of the team, “Eileen is the epitome of a compassionate midwife and a real credit to Blackpool Maternity services, her wisdom, experience and infectious personality has inspired many midwifes across the years. Whilst our technologies, procedures and policies have changed, Eileen has stayed throughout delivering generations of babies. We were thrilled when she agreed to stay on our bank staff, post-retirement.”

53 years later after first enrolling to become a midwife Eileen continues to support the Triage team at the Maternity unit 2 days a week. “To anyone considering a career in midwifery, my advice would be talk to midwives, learn about the career. There are so many specialties from mental health midwifery to bereavement midwifes. To me it has been very interesting, rewarding, and challenging but importantly you are part of a work family who put mothers and babies at the centre of their care.”

The team recently expanded with the appointment of Bereavement Midwife Laura Walsh, and will support people at what can be a devestating time in their lives.

Holly Martinez, Maternity Matron, said: “The Maternity Bereavement team is now complete. The team can focus on improving the bereavement environment as well as making changes at this precious time. I feel extremely proud to see this team now complete.

Jackie Brunton, Lead Nurse End of Life and Bereavement Care, added: “We are proud to introduce our team during Baby Loss Awareness Week and the vital support that is needed. The Swan Specialist Bereavement Midwife and Swan Support Worker roles join our existing Swan End of Life Bereavement Team providing this specialist support to families. The team will also work alongside colleagues across Maternity services to introduce our Swan Model of Care.”

Meanwhile, Blackpool Tower will be lit up on Saturday, 15 October from 7pm to mark the awareness week, and the local SANDS group is holding its Lights of Love walk tonight (Thursday, 13 October) starting at the main entrance to Carleton Crematorium from 6.30pm. A special online Book of Memories has also been set up where families can share a message.

In the Bulletin this week:
– Wireless Cardiotocograph (CTG) Monitoring
– Midwifery Continuity of Carer Update
– Baby Loss Awareness Week
– Better Births Conference 2022– Poster Competition
– Optimising Maternal Breast Milk for Preterm Infants (Part 2) 
– Maternity and Neonatal Services Listening Sessions 
– Single Notification Portal
– Perinatal Service User Voice In-Person Working Day
– Twins Trust Webinars 
– Consultation to add folic acid to flour
– Guidance on the Engagement of Short-term Locums in Maternity Care
– Diabetes in Pregnancy UK Conference
– CNST Safety Action 2- MSDS Data
– Maternity Consortium MMHS/PMH Virtual Event
– Neil’s Blog Webinars
– Please share your positive maternity and midwifery stories with us
– Dates for your diary

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In the Bulletin this week:
– Better Births Conference 2022
– Please share your positive maternity and midwifery stories with us
– Phillips Ives Review – have your say, get involved
– Single Notification Portal – User Research
– Invisible – Maternity Experiences of Muslim Women
– Guidance: Working in partnership with people and communities
– Maternity Voices Partnership Funding Surveys
– Dates for your diary