Antenatal Education Coordinator Midwife

Job/Role Summary

I am responsible for the coordination and management of antenatal education in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

I manage a team of midwives who provide antenatal education programmes such as

‘Getting Ready for Baby’ ‘Twin pregnancy’ evenings and ‘Mood Matters’ parent and baby programmes.

I am a Solihull Approach-trained practitioner and I also provide programmes to healthcare staff on effective faciltation techniques.

I work across all areas of midwifery care and I have established good relationships across the multidisciplinary networks.

Specific qualifications and experience required

I am a Registered Nurse and a Registered Midwife.

I have a BSc Hons in Adult Nursing (2003) and a BSc Hons in Midwifery Studies (2010).

I am a Solihulll Approach-trained practitioner.

Career Milestones

I received the Clinical Excellency Award for Midwifery when I gratuated from Queens University, Belfast in 2010.

I was seconded to the Public Health Agency in 2017 to set up the ‘Getting Ready For Baby’ programme in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

I completed the Solihull ‘Train the Trainer’ programme in 2017. I now train healthcare staff in the Solihull Antenatal approach.

I acted (on a temporary basis) as a Midwifery Practice Education Facilitator.

What attracted you to this job?

I love educating, informing, and supporting prospective parents.

I am passionate about antenatal education because it provides women with information which empowers them to make informed decisions. I love advocating for women and caring for them in a holistic manner.

Outside of my work I enjoy public speaking and voluteering with parent and toddler groups and women’s groups. I also enjoy going into schools to speak on promoting women’s health to teenagers.

It was always my dream to be a midwife and provide antenatal education.

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

Job satisfaction

Working with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

I have the best team of midwives ever.

My line manager has been a great support and influencer to me in my antenatal education role.

Everday is a learning day.

Challenging aspects of the job/role

Time – there is never enough time in the day.

I have a lot I want to achieve in my role but one thing at a time.

Important success factors

Embedding and supporting the implementation of the ‘Getting Ready for Baby’ programme into the antenatal care settings within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

Having an opportunity to work with the Public Health Agency.

Representing midwifery on the Perinatal Mental Health Steering group in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

I input and teach on the Breastfeeding programmes in the HSC Clinical Education Centre – relating my own personal experiences of sucessfully breastfeeding my preterm daughter.

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

Get involved in health promotion whatever setting you are in. Be a champion for change and a health promotion agent.

Volunteer your skills and services to your line manager. Don’t wait to be asked.

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

I have developed my leadership and organisational skills.

I am confident in asking for support when dealing with new situations.

I feel I am a better communicator.

I am more self aware and sensitive to the needs of my staff.

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