"Suddenly there were sounds of deep distress, low voices encouraging and urging on to greater effort. I was standing towards the back of the room and suddenly felt the need to get closer.
I couldn't help myself..."There are two reasons I wanted to tell my Inside Lives story: firstly, I may be retiring in the next 5 years or so and I wanted to share the magic and joy of such intimate experiences. Secondly, if it will encourage others to consider Midwifery as a career - I will be very pleased! The National Health Service has a severe national shortage of midwives. I feel all mothers deserve the best possible care during their pregnancy, labour and afterwards. More midwives can ensure that we are in a position to offer quality care. I hope that this page from my 'radio diary' will interest and amuse you. Married for over 30 years, Sylvia lives with her husband in Trentham, Stoke on Trent and the couple have one grown up son, plus four cats. As well as being a Midwife, Sylvia is qualified in a whole range of complimentary therapies. She's also a fitness instructor specialising in exercise during pregnancy, has lectured nationally and internationally as well as publishing a book. In her spare time Sylvia loves collecting antiques - especially rummaging around junk shops looking for jewellry. She relaxes by reading and spending time gardening.
That day I witnessed a miracle! I swallowed hard, took a deep breath and followed the woman who was responsible for me seeing it. She took me into a room. The noise was overwhelming, and frightening. Hushed, urgent voices against a backdrop of hurried feet, and efficient verbal commands. The room I had entered had a number of people in it, a lot of strange equipment, bright lights, every person in there frighteningly efficient. I felt in the way and thought briefly "I can't handle this". Suddenly there were sounds of deep distress, low voices encouraging and urging on to greater effort. I was standing towards the back of the room and suddenly felt the need to get closer. I couldn't help myself. In front of me was a woman. I'd never seen such deep concentration cloaked around a body in that way before. Deep gutteral sounds mixed with sweet words of endearment and encouragement. The atmosphere in the room changed from hushed expectancy to gut tearing intimacy within seconds. I stood and witnessed a miracle, a miracle that man makes: the birth of a child. Abundle of reflexes wrapped around by skin of silk, arms that instinctively reach out for reassurance, eyes that silently appraise you and reach deep into your soul. I approached the bed and cried at the wonder of it all. The baby's mother had tears streaming down her face too. She said "would you like to hold him?" She reached forward and gently placed her most precious cargo into my arms. That first day on the labour ward as a student midwife was thirty-two years ago and I'm still working as a practising Midwife, helping and advising mothers. It's still as wonderful for me today as it was all those years ago. | 
