"I'm here with you and you're here with me…" What it Means to Care for Women EP: 48

You might think it would be all about the babies, and for some midwives, that may be true. For Ellie Durant, it's about caring for women; being there to support and encourage them in one of the most intimate experiences of life. "Women have complicated stories," she explains. "And the most interesting bits seem to be related to pregnancy and childbirth." Ellie shares her story of how she came to be caring for women, beginning in her late teens studying nursing. A hardwired Learner, prone to dive deeply into the ideas and topics that capture her interest, Ellie would spend hours in the local bookstore reading whatever she could find in her field; she would even be so bold as to bookmark her place, put the book back on the shelve, and hope it would still be there the next time she could drop in! Looking back, Ellie recognizes a long line of nurses in her family, including her mom, who worked in the neo-natal and maternity units during her career. So, perhaps this 'caring for women' comes naturally to her. During this conversation, Laura and Ellie talk about birth, what it means to be a midwife – literally and in practice, some of the issues Ellie (and numerous other midwives she knows) have experienced while in practice: Staff shortages, bullying among midwives, communication breakdowns, etc. Ellie speaks with clear conviction about her purpose in doing the work, caring for women, and creating space for them to have the kind of birth experience they desire when possible. She also shares some of the work she's done in building an actively engaged community of midwives, a space for them to speak freely, share ideas and experiences, get support, be a support, and continue to share information and grow together. Ellie's gentle voice and clear passion for her work will draw you in and hold you close. You don't want to miss this episode! Ellie's Bio Ellie is a trained midwife and published author. She provides career support through writing and coaching, and her work is often about respect for the most vulnerable person in the room. Ellie has spoken at events such as The Royal College of Midwives Conference and has shared a stage with midwives such as Sheena Byrom (OBE) and obstetrician Michel Odent. Ellie will be returning to practice in September 2020 and holds a position as an NHS support worker to help with the coronavirus pandemic. Connect with Ellie and Other Resources: Curious about Midwifery? Click Here Ellie on Facebook Ellie's Group on Facebook – Midwives in the Making Author – Midwife, Becky Reed