CHS midwife wins London’s ‘Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year 2019’
JOY FOR CROYDON HEALTH SERVICES MIDWIFE*
Kelly Sawyer wins London’s ‘Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year 2019’
Nominated by local mum Kasia DiMaria, Kelly Sawyer has been honoured as Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year 2019 for the London region. The prestigious award is one of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Midwifery Awards, recognising the incredible work done by exceptional midwives across the country.
Midwives play such a critical role in so many mums’ lives and the Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year Award enables them to pay a heartfelt tribute to their own special midwife who truly surpassed what was expected of them.
Although Kasia planned to have her baby at home with her first baby, it wasn’t to be and she was transferred to hospital by ambulance after her labour stopped progressing and it was deemed too risky to continue at home. So, after the disappointment of experiencing medical intervention, she so desperately wanted her dream home birth for her second pregnancy.
Kasia was looked after by the community-based home birth team where she met Kelly. Kelly was there every step of Kasia’s journey, providing care throughout her pregnancy, labour and postnatal period. Kelly really got to know Kasia and her family and was only ever a phone call away. Fortunately, Kasia succeeded in having the beautiful home birth she wished for. During labour she felt the tension and fear ebb away on hearing Kelly’s voice, encouraging her to tune in and respond to her body’s natural cues.
Kasia DiMaria, who nominated Kelly for the award, explains: “Kelly’s reassuring presence and compassion reinforced my hopes, confidence and trust in my ability to birth my baby. Kelly also expertly facilitated the whole family’s bonding experience - explaining, encouraging and supporting everyone’s hopes and confidence in bringing baby Martino into the world. It was so special and beautiful for our daughter to be involved in antenatal appointments in preparation for meeting her sibling and my husband also felt considered and looked after by Kelly.
“Her vast knowledge and kindness helped so much when coping with fluctuating emotions, especially in the early days post birth. She helped put me at ease and in charge all at the same time. After the birth, Kelly stayed with us for an unhurried blissful time working her magic and giving us space and precious time to marvel, reflect and most of all bond with our baby boy. Kelly has such a broad set of skills & having continuity of care from her was also super stabilising for my mental health. Kelly has a natural gift, is full of warmth, enthusiasm and genuine compassion which manifests in everything she does.”
On winning the award Kelly Sawyer, who works for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust in its Crocus Home Birth team, adds: “It’s a real honour and a privilege to have received this award. There are so many pressures on midwifery today, particularly in providing continuity of care, but women like Kasia make my job an absolute dream.”
Emma’s Diary, the UK’s essential support resource for mums to be and new parents, received a record 953 nominations from mums across the UK. All entries were put through a meticulous judging process by a panel of representatives from both Emma’s Diary and the RCM, culminating in seven regional winners.
The RCM’s Annual Awards, now in its 17th year, will be hosted for the first time by popular TV presenter Alex Jones on 5th March 2019. Mum of one, Alex, best known for hosting The One Show, is currently pregnant with her second child. Kelly will join the six other regional winners at a celebratory ceremony in London, where Kelly will receive her trophy and find out who is crowned the coveted national winner.
Faye Mingo, Emma’s Diary’s Chief Marketing Officer, comments: “This is now the fourth consecutive year that we have sponsored this award and the compassion and dedication demonstrated by these midwives continues to blow us away. We have yet again been overwhelmed with entries from mums nominating their extraordinary midwife for the pivotal role they played in their pregnancy and birth journey. Reading their stories is a truly humbling experience and we are so delighted for Kelly, who is so deserving of this extra recognition.”
Gill Walton, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This is such a wonderful story of how a caring, skilled and knowledgeable midwife can have a profound and positive effect on a woman’s pregnancy journey. Kasia obviously valued the continuity of care provided by Kelly throughout her pregnancy, labour and postnatal period, highlighting why continuity is so important for women and the wider family. I thank Kasia for nominating Kelly and congratulate her on the birth of Martino. This is well deserved recognition for Kelly and I am delighted for her.”
*Written by Kim Swead, Kim Swead PR, who are managing the promotion on behalf of RCM