by Sheena Appleby

I have often sat in front of the television complaining about films that portray childbirth in a less than positive way, and wondering what I can do to change that image. That chance was given to me in the summer of 2004 when our Trust was approached by the BBC to take part in this series reflecting the role a modern day midwife undertakes.

The decision to proceed was based on a number of things, including an acknowledgement of the high standards of care that I truly believe we deliver here in Derby, the recognition that there is a national shortage of qualified midwives and the realisation that there was an opportunity to positively demonstrate the work of midwives and the profession.

It is fair to say that the physical, psychological and psycho-social demand made on midwives to balance family and working life, in a very pressurised NHS family, is a difficult but rewarding one.

It was important to me that this series was not all about babies. Midwifery is a complex and dedicated profession, requiring a certain type of person to successfully deliver the expectations of a pregnant woman against the realities of modern day medical expertise. I wanted our programmes to show just what a specialised field all midwives work in.

A midwife’s key aim is always to help a woman through her pregnancy, the birth and the post-birth period, ensuring that the woman and her baby are birthed safely into a supportive and caring environment. In reality, this is not always the case when midwives work with women who are vulnerable and socially disadvantaged. This series shows the conflict midwives face in their daily working lives.

That said, midwives do not work in isolation and are hugely reliant on multi-disciplinary team. Many of these are from within midwifery itself but also working with obestetricians, neonatologists and general practitioners to name but a few. It is important to recognise everyone’s contribution as midwifery is not a stand alone profession.

The issues covered in this series reflect every aspect of midwifery from hospital to home birth, from the ordinary to the extraordinary and the many human emotions that midwives and women share together during pregnancy, birth and beyond.

We hope that Desperate Midwives will go some way to helping viewers to gain a better understanding of midwifery as a profession. I believe it will also encourage those who are considering a career in midwifery, showing there is a diversity within the role that would suit everyone’s expectations of this caring profession.

I am very proud of this series. I think it will give the public a real insight into some of what happens within midwifery, and I have to thank the midwives for their commitment in participating in this production.

Content last updated: 17/02/2005

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