On International Day of the Midwife, Hastings residents are being called on to celebrate their dedication and passion to the profession.

The busy maternity ward at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital is run by acting maternity unit manager, Olivia Tierney, who said the globally recognised day holds a special place in her heart.

“I really enjoy International Day of the Midwife because it is a day that we get to celebrate our profession as a stand alone position,” Ms Tierney said.

“Often midwifery gets blurred into nursing, which is how we evolved, but in recent times we have really developed as a stand alone profession so I think it is really important that we acknowledge that and celebrate the special work we get to do.

“As events happen all over the world, for me it makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger.”

Ms Tierney said being able to provide a woman with all her care is something that she loves about her role.

“Being a midwife means being able to provide anything a woman may need, we laugh and say we are great photographers, we are cleaners, we cook food – whatever a woman or her family needs we try and help,” she said.

“But on a serious note, we provide all of the antenatal care, the birthing support and the postnatal care including home visits, we are there all through that experience for the family.

“We are not just at the birth and then leave the woman, we really are there as a support through the whole journey and care for the women who come to us.

“If everything is completely normal we are able to provide women with the entirety of their care and that is pretty cool.”

Student midwife Jordynn Kiem said she feels honoured to be able to help women in a vulnerable state.

“I am a registered nurse who is now on the path to becoming a registered midwife and I think it is really special to be able to assist women when they most need it,” Ms Kiem said.

“Since I was little I always wanted to be a midwife but I got into nursing and once I had completed my training I applied to make the transition to become a registered midwife as well.

“As a nurse and a midwife we have a strong desire to help people and to try and make things better, so to be able to assist and be there for a women in a time of need is what brings me to work everyday.

“Also for women the birthing experience can be a scary or frightening experience and I think you remember if you had a good midwife or a bad midwife so you really want to do the best you can.”

Ms Kiem said being there when new life enters the world is extraordinary.

“When you help a woman birth her baby there is no other feeling like it, and I speak to other midwives and they say that feeling never goes away,” she said.

“A new baby is just magic, and to be able to be there is just overwhelmingly special.” 

International Day of the Midwife is on May 5 and is celebrated around the world.