Health
2024 International Day of the Midwife celebrations at UMHL
Pictured left New mum Amy Power with UMHL staff midwives Tara McMahon and Dawn Halpin. Pictured right Maja Stypula with her new-born daughter, and midwives Cynthia Meehan (left) and Ciara Keane (right) and student midwife intern Leah Maria Donnelly, at UMHL on Sunday May 5, 2024 International Day of the Midwife
2024 International Day of the Midwife was a day like any other for the hardworking midwifery staff at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) on Sunday, May 5
International Day of the Midwife, on Sunday May 5th, was a day like any other for the hardworking midwifery staff at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) and also the most special of days for eight new-born babies who arrived into the world during those 24 hours.
The first new arrival at the hospital on May 5th was at 03:47am, when Limerick city mum Maja Stypula gave birth to a little girl.
Other happy new mums that day included Edjan Des Santos, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick, and Sinéad Grene, Ballybricken, Co Limerick; while Amy Power from Ennis, Co Clare gave birth to twins.
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These and the mothers of all UMHL new-borns on International Day of the Midwife were presented with commemorative birth certificates.
Among a variety of activities in UMHL to mark this global red-letter day, there was also a visit to the maternity hospital by Transition Year students from across the Mid West region to meet with midwives and hear from them about the pathways and benefits of midwifery as a career option for school-leavers.
For Director of Midwifery at UMHL, Eileen Ronan, the day itself and the event for school-goers highlight the uniqueness of care that midwives provide for mothers and new-born babies, as well as the diversity and progressiveness of midwifery as a career.
“Midwives are an incredibly important presence for women and their families during all stages of pregnancy, labour and the post-natal period. And as a career, there are options available in clinical, management, education and research roles, allowing trainees to gain experience in a variety of specialist maternal care areas,” Ms Ronan said.
Some of the staff midwives at UMHL have been speaking about the sense of fulfilment from working in midwifery. Staff Midwife Laura Flannery said: “As a midwife on the post-natal ward, I love being part of a team that cares for and supports mothers and babies during their first special few days.”
Laura’s colleague, Staff Midwife Amy Downes, explained: “Being a midwife fulfils me in a way that I don’t think anything else ever could. I feel so unbelievably honoured to have the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives at such a fundamental time, whatever the case may be. I’m thankful to every family that has let me be a part of their journey—it’s a true privilege.”
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