Try free for 30 days

  • The Secret Midwife

  • Life, Death and the Truth About Birth
  • By: The Secret Midwife
  • Narrated by: Gloria Sanders
  • Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (291 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Secret Midwife cover art

The Secret Midwife

By: The Secret Midwife
Narrated by: Gloria Sanders
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $44.99

Buy Now for $44.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

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

What listeners say about The Secret Midwife

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    237
  • 4 Stars
    36
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    216
  • 4 Stars
    26
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    206
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A brutally honest read

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An important story beautifully told

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

a must listen!

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Raw Open Loving Anger at England’s NHS


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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very insightful

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!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pure Inspiration

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!!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Health System Exposed

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Roller coaster of emotions. Looked forward to listening every day!

I absolutely loved this book. I could absolutely identify with it and all the stories (I’m not a midwife or nurse). It made the ride to and from work so much more manageable even if I was in tears many times. Universal health care is amazing, but it definitely needs improving in all countries. All these issues are within Australian public health care as well. I hope you are going okay lovely and that you never have to deal with court case (but I guess that’s just optimism).

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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.