For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a midwife. That cliché story of ‘It is all I have ever wanted to do!’ I have always been fascinated by pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, and the difference compassionate care can make at such a pivotal time in someone’s life.
My journey has not been straightforward. I became a mum at 19, and while my dream was put on hold, it never disappeared. If anything, my experiences only strengthened my determination pursue midwifery.
Since then, my path has been shaped by both life and experience. I am now a mum of four, and I have also had the privilege of being a surrogate. My journeys as a surrogate gave me a unique perspective on pregnancy and birth and reinforced just how important it is for women and families to feel heard, supported, and safe, no matter their circumstances.
Like many, I have experienced both excellent and challenging care. A defining moment for me was three years ago, when I gave birth as a surrogate, following prolonged rupture of membranes. Due to pressures on the labour ward and staffing challenges, my labour was not augmented in a timely way and I developed an infection. That experience stayed with me. It highlighted not only the realities of a stretched system, but also the impact midwives can have, even in difficult conditions.
That was the the moment I knew I could not wait any longer. I needed to become a midwife.
Now, as a 38-year-old, 2nd year student midwife and a mum of four, I am living the reality of what it takes to follow that path. Midwifery training is intense. Long days and nights on placement, academic deadlines, and emotional highs and lows. Balancing this with family life brings another layer entirely.
There are early mornings after sleepless nights, school runs around shifts, and studying late into the evening. It is a constant juggle, and some days feel overwhelming. But it has also shaped me. Being a mum has given me resilience, empathy, and a deep understanding of the realities women face outside of the clinical environment. It is helping me become a midwife who listens, who understands, and who truly supports.
I feel incredibly proud to be part of this profession and its future. Student midwives are passionate, resilient, and ready to step into a workforce where we are so clearly needed. Yet many of us are approaching qualification facing uncertainty at a time when there is a well-recognised shortage of midwives, but limited opportunities for newly qualified midwives due to lack of government funding for jobs.
Midwifery matters. Women and families need us. They deserve safe, compassionate, and consistent care, and that starts with investing in the future workforce.
I am proud to be a student midwife. I am proud of the journey it has taken to get here. I am proud to be a part of the next generation ready to make a difference.
Laura McCarthy
2nd year student midwife
University of Huddersfield
