–practising midwives say it brings joy to guide mothers to bring life into the world

ONE cannot disagree that midwives play an integral role in society, since they are the ones who introduce women to the healthcare system, and ensure that women and their babies receive a continuum of skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the important days and weeks after birth.

Recognising the vast role they play, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) has set aside May 5 as International Day of Midwife, a day that has been acknowledged since 1992. At present, the world is going through a global pandemic, and through it all, midwives still perform their duties. Guyana would usually celebrate the day with a countrywide walk, a presentation, and treats for the nurses, but in the face of COVID-19, the nurses will have a much more subtle recognition this year, without attenuating the significance.

The Guyana Chronicle took the time to visit the Maternity Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), and engage with midwives about both the challenges and joys that come with the job.

Sister Nalini Persaud-Duncan said that the strength of GPHC’s Maternity Department lies in it 50 midwives, in that they are responsible for delivering over 6000 babies every year.
She said that though training as well as the job is very intense, it can be very rewarding.
Walking the Guyana Chronicle through the process of becoming a midwife, Nurse Nikita Wickham-Abel explained that there is a Post-basic Midwife training for one year for those who are already nurses, and have medical experience, and there is one for those who didn’t have any training before, which lasts for about 18 months.
She said that this intense training programme comprises of a lot of theory as well as practical work within the wards and within communities, and one has to do a number of deliveries under supervision.
After training, you’re evaluated and tested, and upon passing the course, one becomes a midwife.

FOR THE LOVE OF IT
Persaud-Duncan said she and most of her colleagues gravitated to the profession because of the love of it, and their wanting to reach the next level.
“Midwifery is a whole different section as compared to just being a registered nurse,” she said, adding: “Midwifery is a whole different dimension, and it is no longer an individual patient: it’s the mother, infant, as well as the family. So, it encompasses a lot, and it takes you in a different level. The training is very intense, but it can be very rewarding, when you can be there as this midwife, guiding mothers to bring life into the world.”
Nurse Karen Knox, who has been in the nursing profession for 26 years, echoed similar sentiments as Persaud-Duncan, saying that it comes with its own challenges, not only because it is a lot of work, but also every mother you engage with, experiences pain differently, and responds to that pain differently.

And while their training helps prepare them for a variety of encounters, the joy comes from hearing mothers they may have cared for say “Thank You”, whenever their paths happen to cross on the streets.
In addition to their preparedness, Knox said their team spirit is a strong motivation in helping them pull through each day.
“Like every other thing, there will be challenging situations, but one thing we have is teamwork. Even though our training prepares us for all possible outcomes, the team support at GPHC is great, and makes our service easier,” Knox said.
And in the event that the job gets overwhelming, they have psychologists on board to provide service to staff.

WELL-PREPARED

In relation to COVID-19 and their preparedness, Persaud-Duncan said that GPHC is well on board, especially with the maternity department.

“We are prepared if we have a suspected case or confirmed case of COVID-19. We have an area set up for this purpose, and no mother would be denied our service,” she said.
In fact, Wickham-Abel said that it is no pressure to them, and no difficulty adjusting, since their Department has been practising the very safety measures that have been implemented long before the virus reared its ugly head here in Guyana.
The only thing added to what they do, she said, is having to put face masks on the mothers, and thus far, they haven’t been getting any resistance in that regard.