Director of Midwifery at Nottingham Hospitals takes a trip down memory lane on International Day of the Midwife 2020
On International Day of the Midwife 2020, we’ve been speaking to Sharon Dickinson, Director of Midwifery, at Nottingham University Hospitals about how she got to where she is today and what makes her proud to work for the Trust.
I started my career in the NHS as a student nurse at Charles Frear School of Nursing in Leicester in 1986.
I never wanted to be a midwife. As a student nurse, being privileged to be at a birth made me feel ill and I didn’t really understand the role of a midwife.
However I lived with a student midwife for a short period and I thought: “Wow…that is amazing I need to find out more.”
So I did and I applied to do my post registration training in 1991 in Kingston and Epsom. It is the best career choice I could ever have made.
People ask if I remember delivering my first baby and I do. My mentor had her hands on mine and did all the talking.
I didn’t really get emotional when I was delivering the baby because I was concentrating so much on doing the right thing.
I get emotional now. Women are truly amazing; our bodies can grow and birth a baby. I can’t ever get over that (or take it for granted).
My most memorable birthing experience is when I first attended a homebirth.
Other times include having a homebirth with my third child, the time when I professionally articulated my concerns which were heard and avoided a potentially tragic outcome, supporting junior staff and watching their skills and confidence grow.
You may be wondering if I have delivered any babies in usual places – and the answer is yes!
Over my career I have supported over 1,000 women in labour or to give birth.
I have delivered a baby in a car park – we tried to avoid that but the baby came too quickly. There have also been times where I’ve delivered a baby in the reception area of a hospital and a lift too.
I joined the maternity team here at Nottingham University Hospitals in March 2018 and for me, it is the people who make our hospitals a great place to work. It’s like having a second family.
My advice for people who want to embark on a career in midwifery is to find out more about it and follow your heart. Speak to any woman who has had a baby and she will be only too happy to share her story (no matter how long ago it was).
My message to the midwives at our hospitals on International Day of the Midwife is:
“Today we celebrate the amazing role we have in women’s and families lives. The outpouring of love we feel from them and our whole community is palpable. Have a great day, be proud, be kind, and professional - always.”