This week is Women's Health Week, a nation-wide campaign dedicated to improving women’s health and wellbeing. This week we are hearing from female clinicians about what it’s like to care for women.

Lyndal Greeneberg has been a midwife for nine years and said she had always been drawn to nursing but loved the idea of helping women through their pregnancy.

“We get to work with women from all different backgrounds through their pregnancies, they are not all easy and I do enjoy working on complex cases,” Ms Greeneberg said.

“Every person is different, and no two cases are the same, we see great variation in the women who birth with us from those who have easy and straight forward deliveries to the stressful and difficult ones.

“We do occasionally have the sad ones, but I think it’s a privilege to look after a woman when she is going through such a stressful ordeal, I hope I can make an horrific event slightly less awful by being there for her.”

Ms Greeneberg said being a midwife is an amazing and rewarding career, she would encourage anyone who was considering to just go for it.

“I think the most important role of the midwife is to be with the woman and support her, midwife means to be with the woman,” Ms Greeneberg said.

“We tend to get distracted by the machines and other tools in the room, but the midwife is there to be with the mother.” 

Nicola Hinchcliffe has been practicing midwifery for four years and is passionate about supporting women during what is a vulnerable but natural and beautiful experience. 

“We are supporting women to do what they are meant to do but at the same time we are there to advocate for them, keep them safe and provide guidance when they need it,” Ms Hinchliffe said.

“The form between mother and midwife is a special one, we empower them and it’s a unique relationship you form, I think we complement each other nicely.

“We see all women from all walks of life come into the hospital to give birth, but once the door closes it’s like time stands still, it’s just you and the parents. All women are equal and need the same love and care.”

Ms Hinchcliffe said this is a job that brings her great joy and satisfaction, even during the sad days.

“Most of the time the day a woman gives birth will be the happiest day of her life, but sometimes you know it’s going to be the saddest day of her life,” Ms Hinchcliffe said.

“On those days I try to think how I would want someone I loved to be cared for in the same situation, sometimes all you can do is be there for them and know you provided the best support you could.

“All women who give birth here are special to us and it’s a privilege to be able to look after them.”