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The Secret Midwife

Life, Death and the Truth About Birth

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The Secret Midwife

By: The Secret Midwife
Narrated by: Gloria Sanders
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About this listen

Strongest advocate, best friend, expert, cheerleader and chief photographer. Before, during and after labour the role of a midwife is second to none.

The Secret Midwife reveals the highs and lows on the frontline of the maternity unit, from the mother that tries to give herself a DIY caesarean to the baby born into witness protection, and from surprise infants that arrive down toilets to ones that turn up in the lift.

But there is a problem; the system which is supposed to support the midwives and the women they care for is starting to crumble. Short-staffed, over worked and underappreciated - these crippling conditions are taking their toll on the dedicated staff doing their utmost to uphold our National Health Service, and the consequences are very serious indeed.

©2019 The Secret Midwife (P)2019 Bonnier Books UK Medical Medicine & Health Care Industry Midwife Professionals & Academics Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking
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The Secret Midwife was a really moving and insightful book, it gave such an in-depth view on something that the general public would never know about.
The book was well written and narrated.
The NHS really need to take a good hard look at themselves and what danger they are placing their midwives, new mums and babies in.

Insightful

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I could not stop listening to this book. It was so refreshing to read something that is so real and current.

A brutally honest read

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An amazing insight behind the scenes. Made me appreciate the work of those on the front lines of healthcare, even more than I already did.

An important story beautifully told

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I loved every minute of this. its very realistic and highly entertaining. thank you for writing what we are all thinking in the health care industry

a must listen!

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After the first few chapters I thought this was a little tedious just hearing descriptions of the Author’s birth experiences, but then the story built into a narrative about the hospital system. The previous stories became relevant and became more interesting in this context, and perhaps even on their own account. My frustration grew as the Author was so a-political about her situation and so passive in her criticism of the hospital she worked for. Her description of her mental, physical and emotional decline was excellent and relatable for many people. The corporatisation of the caring professions in particular, leaves those in the health care and education industry feeling very similar emotions. Teachers are also placed in the position of watching young people in desperate need for their care, support and education but totally burnt out and frustrated by the education system, including private schools. I am referring here to Australia and my own experience.

My one major concern with this potentially powerful book is the fact that the most important section was in the Epilogue, a section many people don’t read. What was written here should not have been consigned to a final ‘afterthought’ section because it was integral to the book. It was especially important because the Author had returned to work and if the Epilogue was not read it would have left others in the same situation potentially blaming themselves for their own inadequacies if they didn’t return to the poisonous workplace that made them ill in the first place.

The issues in the workplace, the need for Union support and the fact that she only survived because of all the support, including medication still would not have been enough if she had not redefined her role back in the hospital. However this is not possible for everyone and that comment could have been included.

Maybe senior managers in the publishing firm were opposed to the corporatisation of the workplace narrative being front and centre.😉

Thanks for a great read.

Epilogue was essential to the book

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A.H. Brisbane Australia 🇦🇺

My Mum was a Midwife, during Nazi occupied Holland. With, an obtained, Gestapo pass, to be out after Curfew, Mum had plenty of times, when a handgun was placed against her head.

Under orders to open her bag, which she steadfastly refused, as her instruments were sterilised !

During those 6 long years, my Mum delivered Babies in Homes.

Mum was always excited if the Birth was at a Farm. There usually were some potatoes and vegetables in a Cellar.

Instead of having to dig up Tulip Bulbs, Mum, during the seven days confinement, ate a much better diet.

I must mention this: my Mum had a false bottom of the old style Doctors bag. Hiding false Identity Papers, Food stamps, and Bullets, for the Jews in hiding and the Dutch Resistance. Mum’s Mum was a Jewess !!

To me Mum was a heroine !
I wasn’t told of my Mums’ story until I was in my Thirties.

Reading ‘The Midwife’ gave me a totally different perspective !

Whereas some Mothers, in Holland still have Home Births, I am not aware how Holland treats its Midwives.

I have lived in Australia for over 51 years now and had our Three Children in Country Hospitals. Could not utter one complaint about our two Sons and one Daughter’s Births.

‘The Midwife’ ought to be a must read for Nursing Students. Particularly in Britain !!

The NHS certainly is run by fat cats. Hang your heads in Shame !!

To the Midwife who, so eloquently, told us your Story ? You have confirmed my belief Nursing is a Vocation, not just a job.

I’m proud to say I have my Mum’s Midwifery Badge.

Thank you for the privilege of listening to your Story.

Raw Open Loving Anger at England’s NHS

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I loved every minute of the book. It provided a great insight into midwifery and was easy to listen to.

loved it

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I enjoyed listening to her early anecdotes about events on the delivery suite and her training to be a midwife - they were an interesting mixture of both hilarious and heartwrenching situations to be in. And while it was sad to hear about how strained the NHS is and how little support the hospital is able to provide, I was very inspired by her rising through these challenges/struggles. Highly recommend this!

Very insightful

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Pippa, for someone who rarely hears the words 'Well done!' in your workplace, I'm going to say it here, Well done, well done, WELL DONE! I've been registered RN since 1991 and working most of that time in palliative care/aged care at the other end of the life spectrum, but working in aged care since 1986, and I can say without the word of a doubt that the problems and stress you face in your wonderful line of work as midwife are mirrored just as much on the other side of the planet in aged care, at the other end of life. The stress and workload, demands and blame for things going wrong when it is clearly the fault of the system, are things we can clearly identify with here in my world. Thank you so much for your frankness and honesty and your wonderful dedication. I after so many years, continue too to work in palliative care/aged care. Well done!!!!

Pure Inspiration

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This is a realistic recount of a health system under the pump.
We all go into health for the right reasons, yet for the most part, consistantly nurses & midwives are expected to live & work carrying the load from understaffing & top-heavy management, while providing a perfectly seamless shift caring in a personable & professional manner.
Ultimately the nurse & midwives need higher staffing & better pay, for bringing lives into the world & providing top class care to the sick.

Health System Exposed

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.