Working Life: I go out at 6am... I tiptoe in around 10pm, when my boys are asleep

Esther Groarke Powell, clinical midwife manager, Emergency Room, The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin

Fri, 22 Dec, 2023 - 02:00

Catherine Shanahan

5.10am

When the alarm goes off, I get ready for work. I tiptoe out at 6am, leaving my three boys (twins Ralph and Louis, aged 12, and 11-year-old Dexter) and my husband sleeping soundly.

It’s so dark these winter mornings, but the N4 into the city from Prosperous in Co Kildare is already alive and buzzing with activity.

7.30am

I start my shift and get a handover from the night staff, before carrying out safety checks of our equipment.

We have a brilliant team of midwives and doctors at The National Maternity Hospital Emergency Room.

We care for women from four weeks pregnant to six weeks postnatal and women with gynaecological concerns.

+Patients presenting to the emergency room usually require different levels of support depending on the circumstances.

Some may be discharged home from the emergency room following care, and others may need to be stabilised and admitted to the hospital for further observation and management.

11am

As a qualified midwife sonographer, part of my morning will be spent scanning and talking patients through their scan findings.

I carry out many early pregnancy scans — it's a real privilege to care for patients at this early stage of their pregnancy journey and play a supportive role in their story.

1pm

I grab a quick lunch in our staff canteen. It’s usually a hub of activity and a great place to catch up with colleagues.

We chat about Christmas plans and rosters.

4pm

During the afternoon, we continue to provide care to patients coming into the emergency room. On any given day, we care for up to 50 women.

This could include women concerned about reduced fetal movement, bleeding in early pregnancy, or suspected pre-eclampsia.

No day is the same, which is part of what makes my job so special and rewarding.

8.30pm

I finish my shift after a busy day. If one of my patients has been admitted to the hospital, I usually pop up and check in on them before I head home.

The drive home is great to unwind. I tiptoe in around 10pm, when my boys are asleep. I shower and gratefully fall into bed.

I’m off for the next few days and look forward to catching up with the kids and doing some fun Christmas activities.