Passion for midwifery
Hawkesbury District Health Service Registered Midwife Julie Dickson loves all aspects of her job and can’t imagine doing anything else.
2 Sep 2022
After 20 years of midwifery, Julie said her satisfaction when new parents thank her for her care and support and the overwhelming joy of welcoming new babies into the world hasn’t diminished.
“I love to be there in the birth suite, on the ward or doing antenatal care, supporting women and their partners and guiding them through this amazing time,” she said.
“The variety I get to experience at our hospital is fantastic so I never feel disconnected from the different aspects of maternity care. I can follow my patients through from pregnancy to birth and postnatal care.”
Julie’s connection to the hospital goes beyond her role as a caregiver. She has had all of her children at the hospital and after giving birth to her fourth child she decided to join the hospital’s midwifery team.
It is a decision she has never regretted.
“We are a small unit but I feel I am always supported by my colleagues and our leaders to ensure we can provide the highest level of patient care,” she said.
“We are also recognised and appreciated for the work and effort we put in, which has been particularly important over the past few years with COVID-19 and the natural disasters that have affected our region.”
Julie said the significant role midwives play in not only caring for women during labour and birth but also providing emotional support came to fore during the pandemic.
“We provided extra support for women when they have not been able to have their wider support network with them in hospital,” she said.
“So not only have women looked to us for care but also to provide that emotional support they need, particularly during labour and birth.”
Having worked at the hospital for 20 years and living in the community, Julie said she often finds herself recognising families at the shops.
“The nicest thing is when I see a family out and, the father, who is often the one who recognises me from their time in the labour ward, says hello and thanks me again for the care I provided,” she said.
“That feeling will never get old.”
You may be interested in