“Being a midwife is one of the oldest and most important professions in the world. Let’s remember that and be proud of it.”
Sheena Byrom qualified as a midwife in 1978 at Burnley General Hospital. Her knowledge, love and passion for midwifery awarded her an OBE and produced a best-selling book ‘Catching Babies’. She continues to share educate and inspire midwives everywhere alongside her midwife daughter Anna – and including her goddaughter Jessica Acker, Burnley Birth Centre Manager and Team Leader at Lancashire’s Women’s and Newborn Centre.
She said:
The best thing about being a midwife is the privileged position you’re in to serve women and families through one of the most important times of their lives. That meant the world to me. And although I don’t essentially ‘catch babies’ anymore I still support midwives through presenting, writing, podcasting and facilitating talks, workshops. and podcasts.
I worked in Burnley and Blackburn all my NHS career which included nine years at Bramley Meade, a maternity home in Whalley. That was a catalytic time for me as it taught me to be a midwife in the deepest sense of the word. I was one of the UK's first consultant midwives and I ended my career as the Head of Midwifery before taking early retirement in 2010. Midwifery is now a family affair!
I’ve been friends with Jess’s mum Freda since we were 17. It was already an honour being Jess’s godmother so when she told me she wanted to be a midwife I was delighted! I can’t remember now where I was when Jess broke the news, but I knew she had been harbouring the desire for a long time.
Jess trained at ELHT and qualified as a midwife in 2009. It was so special seeing her in her uniform and following in her ‘Aunty Sheena’s’ footsteps.
Jess said that the stories I used to share with her inspired her to become a midwife. But Jess has done everything herself to reach her goal – all credit goes to her!
I’m incredibly proud of her. She has achieved so much and is a well-respected midwife loved by all who meet her.
ELHT is a shining light in maternity care. It’s up there as one of the top places in the county to have a baby.
Being a midwife is who we are – it’s more than just a job. So what’s wonderful now is being able to share stories with Anna, Jess and Aimee of our mutual experience. It’s the best!
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