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Photo series documents life on busy London maternity ward

James Clifford Kent A close-up, black and white photograph showing the hands of a medical professional firmly but carefully pressing on a pregnant woman's abdomen during a clinical procedure.James Clifford Kent

A photographer has returned to the London hospital where his daughter was born to document midwifery services in a project exploring life inside maternity care.

James Clifford Kent's series, MIDWIFE, was created inside the maternity units of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and follows his earlier award-winning work on maternity care.

He spent time embedded with staff at West Middlesex University Hospital, where his child was born in 2020, recording work across antenatal clinics, labour wards, birth centres and postnatal care.

James Clifford Kent A wide black and white shot of a hospital delivery room where a midwife in scrubs leans over a patient on a bed, while another staff member works at a station in the background.James Clifford Kent

The images show both clinical activity and personal moments, including scans, births, feeding support and checks on newborns.

Kent said the aim was to highlight the "humanity of maternity care", capturing both the pressures and compassion within the service.

James Clifford Kent A black and white photo of a new mother lying in a hospital bed holding her newborn, looking up at her partner who is visibly emotional, while a smiling midwife looks on.James Clifford Kent

Senior midwife Hiba Ahmed Gaideh described the job as "hands-on, unpredictable and different every day", adding that supporting families at birth is a privilege she values deeply.

Claire Davidson, director of nursing and midwifery at the trust, said the work reflected the professionalism and teamwork of maternity staff, and the care they provide around the clock.

James Clifford Kent A black and white image of a midwife wearing a surgical cap and mask, carefully lifting a crying newborn baby to hand the infant to the mother.James Clifford Kent
James Clifford Kent A group of four midwives in dark scrubs gathered around a medical monitoring station, looking focused as they review data on a screen in a bright clinical room.James Clifford Kent
James Clifford Kent Two members of staff, one wearing a hijab, sit at a computer desk in a hospital office environment, looking at a screen while discussing work during a shift change.James Clifford Kent
James Clifford Kent A midwife in scrubs pushes a mother in a wheelchair through a hospital corridor; the mother is cradling her newborn baby while the father walks closely behind them.James Clifford Kent

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