I was thrilled to have been generously awarded both the Midwife and Mary Cronk awards from the Iolanthe Trust.
I applied on behalf of my colleagues at North Bristol Trust (NBT) to help subsidise tickets to enable a greater representation of staff to attend a physiological breech birth study day held by the Breech Birth Network.
Although mandatory maternity training covers delivering a breech baby in an emergency or unplanned situation, the aim for attending this study day was to be able to offer our women evidence-based information and skilled attendance in the event of a planned vaginal breech birth.
Over the course of two days, we had over 40 midwives and obstetricians attend. It was a great turn out and fostered a lot of friendly and productive multi-disciplinary team (MDT) discussion and working relationships. Topics included latest research, counselling updates, normal birth mechanisms and skilled interventions in the event of a complex delivery. Clinicians were given lots of time to practice hands on manoeuvres with the dolls and pelvises provided and watch numerous birth videos showing a variety of breech births.
Receipt of the award and the completion of the study days were advertised and celebrated in the Maternity Newsletter sent out to all staff in the Women’s and Children division at the Trust.
Feedback from the study day was very positive and staff were extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to attend – the first study day of this kind in Bristol.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust for their generosity and support. We hope this funding and study day will facilitate ongoing improved support, choice and evidence-based practice in the care we provide our women, birthing people and families.
