Who are you favourite midwifery legends?

Who do you most admire in midwifery and why?

You, because you will always be the voice of student midwives Josie but also...

Denis Walsh is a legend and I love Ina May Gaskin. I also hugely admire my personal tutor at uni

I have too many to mention-

The mentor who took me under her wing when I was ready to quit as a nervous student.

The numerous senior midwives, and one in particular, who has both saved my bacon and been patient, supportive and kind through a tough, rollercoaster of an NQM year.

Sheena Byrom- for being so approachable and kind, for caring about the experiences of not only women but also other midwives, as well as a completely inspirational and well-achieved Midwife.

And, ofcourse, Ina May Gaskin- just because. That woman needs no description!

x

Butts your post reminded me, the mentor with whom I worked mostly during my first delivery suite placement, whom I felt accepted me as a valid part of the team and who above all demonstrated truly being "with woman" in an emergency situation and from whom I have learnt a great deal x

I'd have to say Michel Odent. I know he's not a midwife, but his research on the "luuuurve 'ormone" is truly the basis of our knowledge of physiological labour. I just wish that more obstetricians recognised his work, particularly his musings over the long-term effects of caesarean sections...

Ina May Gaskin is an impressive woman, and although she has no "formal" midwifery training in the way that we train nowadays, but similar to Michel Odent, she's got normal, physiological labour figured out, and I love that. Sometimes I find that guidelines rule my life on an obstetric unit, so it's nice to review Odent and Gaskin's work and consider that the "rules of obstetrics" don't necessarily have to be the only choice for women.

There are a few midwives in my unit who are inspirational too - those who still recognise the importance of being an advocate for women and who actively listen to what women want. These midwives are the kind who will make the highest risk situation seem like it's low risk, and I've been to some of the most beautiful (high risk) births assisted by these midwives.
I'm lucky to consider these women my friends.

Mary Cronk. She has true passion and has dedicated so many years to her vocation...imagine how many babies she must have delivered! Excited about listening to her speak about unusual births she has been part of at the MAMA conference.