Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
It was really magical to deliver the baby of my best friend
Lifelong pals closer following birth
ASTUDENT midwife has told of the “magical moment” she delivered her best friend’s baby boy. James Mcmanus entered the world last July under Eimir Martin’s watchful eye.
And the final year Queen’s University student said being there for his birth has brought her and Laura Mcmanus even closer together.
The 30-year-old, who also won a prestigious award from QUB, told the Mirror: “It was just so special that moment - it was very emotional for both of us.
“We grew up together and had been in playschool together. Then I got to deliver her wee baby.
“It all happened really quickly. I didn’t realise I was going to get the call then Laura had asked would I stay and deliver her baby.
“It’s as if it was meant to be, the way it all panned out the whole day.
“I was off the next day but she went on and delivered that evening.
“I thought I would be nervous delivering somebody’s baby that I knew.
“I am just so glad everything worked out so well. It was just a really magical moment for both of us.” It seems Laura feels the same. She said: “Eimir helped deliver James with such confidence and compassion.
“I would want Eimir by my side every time to experience that magical moment, her care and desire to ensure you get the delivery you want is what makes her special.
“She carries out her job with such love, we are blessed to have a midwife like you Eimir.”
But it would never have happened, had Eimir not changed career.
She said despite considering midwifery as a career at school, she “went down the teaching route” as she was so involved in sports.
Eimir said: “I taught for six years. I really enjoyed teaching but when I asked myself did I want to do it for the rest of my life the answer was, ‘No’. I felt precious time was being put into something my heart wasn’t fully in.
“Then I just went for midwifery because it did fascinate me.”
Eimir left teaching to retrain in Queen’s in 2017.
She has finished her exams and now needs to see out her placements at South West Acute Hospital and Omagh Primary Care Complex before she qualifies this year.
Awarded Queen’s Student Midwife of the Year last year, it seems she made the right move.
Eimir, from Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, said: “I was shocked to be nominated, never mind win the student of the year award.
“Brenda Mccabe, the community sister, nominated me. I don’t feel I have done anything extraordinary. I just feel it is such a special vocation and me and the other midwives are just so lucky because we are given access to a special time in a mummy and baby’s lives.
“Just guiding that wee baby into the world and seeing them take their first breath – nothing in this world beats that feeling. I really do love it.
“I am so thankful to every woman who has allowed me to be part of her journey.
“The midwives always asks, ‘Do you mind that there’s a student?’ Thankfully no one has ever said, ‘No’.
STUDENT
The midwives in Omagh and Enniskillen are brilliant to us students – they are great role models.
“They all take us under their wings and are constantly teaching us, supporting us and encouraging us and it’s just a positive environment for us to learn and flourish in.”
Mrs Mccabe, the Western Trust Community Lead Midwife, said: “Eimir epitomises what a midwife should aspire to be.
“I am absolutely thrilled and delighted she received the honour of Student Midwife of the Year. The first
MIDWIFERY
time I met Eimir was when she was starting out on her journey, I knew we had a very special person who was going to make an incredible midwife.
“She is an absolute dream to mentor and on behalf of myself and the midwives in the South West Acute Hospital I wish to pass on our congratulations and best wishes and we look forward to working alongside Eimir as she begins her career in midwifery.
“Well done Eimir you are a superstar.”
The young midwife said she could not have done it without the support of her family, – especially parents
Geraldine and Vincent Martin. She added: “I wouldn’t have got this far without them,” she said.
“They are so supportive. My family and especially my parents, no matter what I have decided to do in life, they have always supported me. “Midwifery had been no different. “I feel I am doing the right thing and I am delighted to be doing it.”
“It’s hard work, it’s emotional, but so exciting,” she explained.
“With midwifery the learning never stops and no two days are the same – every family has a different story.
“If anyone wants to do this, go for it. I think they will be as happy as me.