On May 5th 2023, midwives across the world will be observing International Day of the Midwife (IDM), a time of celebration that honours the efforts of midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives, their expertise and contributions to their profession.
In honour of IDM 2023, we sat down with one our Senior Fertility Midwives, Lynsey Moorhead, to talk about her role at Manchester Fertility, what she loves most about midwifery and advice for those undergoing fertility treatment.
Meet Lynsey
Lynsey knew she wanted to be a midwife at primary school. Now the mum-of-two shares the joy of pregnancy with those who've struggled to conceive. She supports Manchester Fertility patients through their treatment, including when they take their pregnancy tests and undergo their first pregnancy scans.
Why did midwifery appeal to you so much, especially at a young age?
Most children have ambitions to work as a doctor or as a nurse. I only knew about midwifery because family friends were midwives, so I was aware of the amazing work they did. I've been lucky to work across many areas, including community, special care baby unit, labour ward and as a research midwife. I love that I'm doing the job I always wanted to do!
Midwifery isn't something people usually associate with a fertility clinic. How did you end up at Manchester Fertility?
I wanted to join the team at Manchester Fertility as my experience and expertise would benefit people going through fertility treatment.
We want to ensure all our patients feel fully supported and cared for during treatment. There's no reason for that to end once they've taken their pregnancy test.
It’s no surprise the two-week wait to determine if their treatment has been successful is a nervous time for patients. It's when you're at your most anxious, and it's when you need the most support. So, I'm here to help you through this time and the earliest stages of your pregnancy.
How does it feel to be involved when a patient's treatment is successful?
Nothing is more rewarding for me than caring for a patient who may have struggled to conceive and then being at their pregnancy scan when they see the little heartbeat for the first time. To see their happiness – and their babies when they're born – is just so satisfying.
Of course, the sad times never get any easier when treatment doesn't end the way everyone hopes. I'm here to support patients through the good and challenging times. It does make a difference knowing someone is there to listen.
What would you say are your career highlights to date?
My most significant achievements, in my opinion, include caring for friends and colleagues during their labour and birth. This is a fantastic privilege and one of the favourite parts of my job.
What advice would you give to people going through fertility treatment?
The most crucial piece of advice I can offer is: always talk about any concerns you have. Going through treatment can be challenging. It is entirely normal for you to feel anxiety or excitement. It's important not to let small worries or issues build up.
Instead, if you have something on your mind, you can contact the team here at the clinic, and we'd be more than happy to talk everything through with you.
If you're just starting your fertility journey, it's vital to understand that our team is here to support you every step of the way. You can meet the rest of the specialist staff responsible for supporting you through your treatment on our website.
If you're ready to take the next step in your fertility journey, contact our New Patient team at 0161 300 2737 or get started today by booking a free, no-obligation, 1-2-1 discovery appointment.
You can learn more about International Day of the Midwife, such as what events are taking place and how to get involved, on the official IDM 2023 website.
Last updated: 4th May 2023
