Working as a midwife takes Jessika Bainbridge on a different emotional journey every day – but she wouldn’t change it for the world.
The 26-year-old is part of the 22-strong team of midwives who deliver more than 600 babies each year at Mater Private Hospital Townsville.
Jessika and her Mater colleagues celebrated International Day of the Midwife – a time to recognise the role of midwives around the world – on Friday 5 May.
“No day is ever the same – because everyone we support has a different story,” Jessika said.
“You have incredible positive experiences, such as when women who have been trying for a baby for years finally give birth, but there are sad times too.
“And there are very stressful times as well – like when I had to deliver my manager’s baby!
“It’s always a little nerve-wracking when you know the mother, but it was an awesome experience for us both.”
Jessika studied nursing at James Cook University and began her career in the hospital’s maternity unit, but midwifery was always her goal and she continued her studies to obtain post-graduate midwifery qualifications, including a Master’s.
Two weeks ago she began a new position as the maternity unit’s clinical facilitator, overseeing the training of the hospital’s student and newly-qualified midwives, as well as developing the skillset of senior midwives and nurses.
“It’s great to be able to share knowledge and I’m still very much a midwife in this role,” Jessika said.
“Becoming a midwife has made me a more empathetic and caring person and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
“We aren’t the biggest team in the world, but we are very close – we really are like a family.”
Mater Private Hospital Townsville Executive Officer Stephanie Barwick said midwives like Jessika personified Mater’s mission of providing compassionate care to those in need.
“It takes a special person to be a midwife and at Mater we’re lucky to have the most incredible team of midwives,” Ms Barwick said.
“Mater midwives are always there for mums, for babies and for families.”