Midwives often describe their job as 'privileged'. Helping to bring new life into the world is a great responsibility and one that needs care and compassion.
This page provides information to support you to explore careers within Kent and Medway maternity services
Midwives provide care and support to women and their families while pregnant, throughout labour and during the period after a baby’s birth.
Training to become a midwife is a mix of academic study and practical, hands-on experience.
You’ll mainly deal with pregnant women requiring professional support and advice. You are likely to be the lead health professional and contact for a woman, providing evidence-based information and helping her make informed choices about the options and services available throughout her pregnancy.
You’ll be the expert on childbirth and your responsibilities are likely to be diverse.
You will:
provide full antenatal care, including parenting classes, clinical examinations and screening
identify high-risk pregnancies
monitor women and support them during labour and the birthing process
teach new and expectant mothers how to feed, care for and bathe their babies.
Photograph of Sorcha Magee, Lead Midwife for Education and Workforce
Nurses play a crucial role as part of the multidisciplinary team in providing safe and effective maternity care. Registered Adult Nurses, with post-registration experience, make valuable contributions to the delivery of high-quality care for women and babies throughout the maternity journey.
On the Delivery Suite and Postnatal ward, nurses work closely with their midwife colleagues, the Delivery Suite coordinator, and the wider multidisciplinary team. They focus on addressing the nursing requirements of women and babies, working within the framework of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Code of Conduct.
Nurses in maternity services are responsible for monitoring and maintaining policies and standards of nursing care. They collaborate with midwives and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless, personalized care is provided to women and their families.
Interdisciplinary and multiagency working is essential in maternity services. It enables the delivery of the right care, by the right staff with the appropriate skills, in the right place and at the right time, as outlined in the National Quality Board's guidance. This approach maximizes the expertise and scope of practice of both nurses and midwives, ensuring women and their families receive the best possible care.
Kent and Medway LMNS recognises the value of midwives and nurses working together, combining their unique knowledge and skills to prioritise people, practice effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust. Relevant training, support, and mentoring are provided to nurses to develop new skills and knowledge, with the potential to progress into midwifery if desired.
Photograph of Lianna Ashley, Antenatal and Postnatal Matron
Maternity support workers are the frontline of a family's journey through pregnancy, childbirth and the first few days of birth.
As a maternity support worker, you'll be under the supervision of a registered midwife. They are sometimes also known as maternity healthcare support workers or midwifery assistants.
They work in the community, post-natal wards, maternity theatres, delivery suites and midwifery led units. You need to be able to cope with emergency situations and straightforward labour and birth.
As a maternity support worker you will:
help to care for mothers and babies
make routine observations (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, breathing, etc.)
update records and other admin tasks
educate parents one-to-one or in groups
take blood samples for testing
order stationery and equipment
prepare equipment
promote breastfeeding
report problems to a registered midwife or nurse.
a newborn baby's feet being held by a doctor's gloved hands
Planning for a career in midwifery
There are various routes into midwifery roles. Here you can see what qualifications you need for the university approach.
If you are an NMC registered adult nurse considering a career change, you can undertake the shortened midwifery programme. Visit our staff network to find out more.
GCSEs: Five at grade C/4 including maths, English and science will need to be achieved at time of application to study midwifery.
You're likely to need three A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, such as a T level or BTEC, plus supporting GCSEs. Entry is competitive and high grades at A-level (or equivalent qualifications at level 3) might be needed. Universities may also ask for certain subjects, such as at least one science or social science subject.
If you’re thinking of a career in midwifery, there are lots of routes to choose from including T Levels and university courses. For qualified nurses, shorter programmes are available. We’re also keen to encourage colleagues to return to practice.
Visit the academy T-Level page to find out more about how you can find a course in your area.
To become a midwife, you’ll need to study for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or midwifery degree apprenticeship.
You're likely to need three A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, such as a T level or BTEC, plus supporting GCSEs. Entry is competitive and high grades at A-level (or equivalent qualifications at level 3) might be needed. Universities may also ask for certain subjects, such as at least one science or social science subject.
