Five years as a midwife

This week marks five years since I became a midwife. It feels like a lifetime ago, but also so recent. I graduated on my daughter’s 15th birthday, it was so perfect. It was during the time she was growing in my womb that I decided I wanted to become a midwife. I am so happy I did become a midwife, and so, so proud of my profession and title. 

The other day I had a family come in for a check up in the postnatal ward and they brought the 3 or 4 year old older brother. The dad said “We need to listen to the doctor now.” And I said, “Not the doctor, the midwife.” The dad responded “Everyone is a doctor to him, just take it.” As if it was a compliment. But I don’t want to be a doctor, I want to be a midwife. I am proud of being a midwife. 

Five years is young in midwifery, I am still in the early stages of my career, but I feel so comfortable in my role now. I have learned a lot these five years and I really feel like I have found my way of practising midwifery. I am good at what I do, and still feel I have a lot to learn. 

My favorite memories from these five years are attending births of people that I know. It’s so special to be able to hold space for friends of mine and see them at their most vulnerable, beautiful and powerful moment. It’s an unexpected gift midwifery has given me, it’s priceless. 

For the next five years I dream of returning to Ystad and working there again. I am also looking forward to any other opportunities and experiences that lay ahead. I hope I will travel more and possibly work in a different country. I think there is so much knowledge out there that we miss out on in Sweden because of the system and this deep seeded belief in scientific research. One of my most profound experiences as a midwife was attending Partera Angelina’s workshop back in 2022. It changed me and how I see my role as a midwife. I know there are other mentors out there, I can’t wait to learn from them.

When we graduated five years ago we were in the middle of Covid and had our “ceremony” over Zoom. So my plan is to celebrate this year. Once I have completed my thesis I want to invite my friends to a party to celebrate my Master’s and my 5 years as a midwife. It’s time to celebrate, it’s one of my biggest accomplishments.