Perth midwife opens up on ‘adrenaline rush’ of birthing suite

ST JOHN of God Mt Lawley Hospital midwife Emma Cook has described helping women bring life into the world as an “adrenaline rush”.

“It doesn’t matter how many births you’ve been in or what kind of birth it is – to be with that woman and her family when she gives birth is an extreme privilege,” Ms Cook said.

International Midwives’ Day is coming up this Sunday and Ms Cook said in light of the celebration, she believed their were common misconceptions about what being a midwife meant.

“I don’t think people understand what midwife means – it means with woman,” she said.

“People say mid-husbands, but that’s not true – there are male midwives’ as well and people need to remember that part of our role is not just the medical side of things, but the holistic side of being with woman during her pregnancy, birth and post-partum journey.”

The Morley resident has worked as a midwife for eight years and took on the role of Family Birthing Unit manager two and a half years ago.

“To manage a team and lead a team you need to be able to do exactly what you expect them to do so I work on the floor, in the birthing suite and all those areas,” she said.

“I prefer being a birthing suite midwife because I like that one-on-one relationship with the woman and family.”

Although midwifery can be a privileged experience, Ms Cook said it was not shy of challenging times.

“There’s always those challenging times when the birth doesn’t go the way the woman wants or when babies are born still – it’s important to recognise them,” she said.