Program: Bachelor of Midwifery
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
What have you enjoyed most about your experience with the Midwifery program at UBC?
My most memorable experiences have been learning from very practiced midwives all around the province. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how indelible a mark our trip to Nepal made on me, working with our course instructor and the many mothers and babies in Baglung, during the 2015 earthquake. Though the earthquake was not the highlight – the relationships forged and the work we were still able to do made for an amazing experience!
What has surprised or challenged you?
In this past year, I have been challenged as I stepped into the role of midwife, while still under the careful supervision of my preceptor. For me, knowing how to be hands off and also when to step in is and likely will be a fine balance I continue to hone through my career as a midwife. Mothers are the strongest and most capable people I know. Providing good maternity care means listening, making recommendations, giving excellent support and truly knowing when more medicalized care would be of benefit, and when it would increase risks.
What advice would you offer to incoming students?
You will become midwives! This program can be tough at times, it can exhaust you physically, it can separate you from your family, you will deal with life and death situations, and you will be amazed at your own resilience and ability to move forward and still take action when things scare you. Keep going. You were meant to do this. You wouldn’t have made it this far if you weren’t.
What’s one thing that we might be surprised to learn about you?
I play the clarinet and have recently taken it back up, now that I’m no longer a student and have some free time to speak of!
What’s next for you?
Working as a midwife in a wonderful supportive practice near my home in Langley and just prior to that, taking some much needed time off with my husband to travel in Europe.