I am fortunate to work with a lovely group of midwives.  They are a very social bunch and love any excuse for a morning or afternoon tea, after work meetups and celebrations.  If you work with us and go on maternity leave, be prepared to leave full of yummy food and with a basket of presents so big you’ll have to get someone else to carry it to your car! Christmas is, of course, always well celebrated with multiple end of year gatherings.  My highlight is a secret Santa gift exchange with afternoon tea.  Every time I’ve been able to participate, I’ve been thrilled to receive a book or two. I feel like my workmates know me well, as on my meal breaks I can generally be found tucked up in the corner of the tearoom with a book and a big cup of tea.

HI first heard Sara Wickham on a midwives podcast speaking about her latest book “Plus size pregnancy” and I was inspired by her knowledge, experience, passion for women’s autonomy and her soothing accent. Sara practiced midwifery for over 30 years, lectured in over 30 countries and has authored and edited 18 books (for more information on Sarah’s extensive qualifications and experience see About – Dr Sara Wickham.

I’d heard of birth plans but I’d never heard of a birth map or birth cartography until I was listening to episode six of The Calmbirth Conversation podcast featuring Catherine Bell, author of “The Birth Map”.  I was inspired and intrigued and I knew I wanted to know more so I read the book and I am so glad I did.  I love seeing birth plans in my patients files but reading this book has changed the way I talk to couples about how to document their informed decisions for their care and what they need to know when navigating the hospital system