A life in midwifery – ‘CJ’, Celia Jeffreys, Midwife and Deputy Director for Safeguarding Adults at NHS NEL

5 May is International Day of the Midwife, a day to celebrate a profession that plays such an important role in everyone’s life. This year we caught up with ‘CJ’ Celia Jeffreys, Midwife and Deputy Director for Safeguarding Adults at NHS North East London, who reflects on her career as a midwife and the lessons and values she brings from that into work at the ICB.

What inspired you to become a midwife?

I knew that I wanted to be a midwife from the age of eight. I helped my aunty with my twin cousins and then their baby sister from day one. I loved caring for a new born. As time went on I also recognised that I not only wanted to work with babies but also have a strong draw to work ‘with woman’ (the meaning of the word ‘Midwife’). Midwifery was my vocation and calling, and I am very proud to call myself a midwife, even if I don’t practice midwifery in my ICB role.

Where and when did you train and start in the profession?

I started my training in 1997 at North Middlesex Hospital and fell pregnant with my own child at the end of my training. I practiced (pregnant) for 6 months once qualified and then took 3 months off to be with my daughter before returning full time to my role as a labour ward midwife.

How did your career progress into senior leadership?

My first senior role in midwifery was as named midwife for safeguarding at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals, now part of the Royal Free Group. From there I stepped outside of the NHS to work for Barnardos as the Head of the National FGM Centre working Nationally. From there I moved back into health as the Head of Safeguarding for a mental health trust in NCL and then back to North Middlesex Hospital as Associate Director for Safeguarding.  My journey has been varied and interesting, but I will always value my clinical midwifery routes.

What moments in your career make you most proud?

I was privileged to deliver both my niece and my Goddaughter. Being able to support friends and family at this critical and extremely vulnerable times in someone close’s life is lifechanging.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and what did it teach you?

The loss of a baby is hard, mostly for the person experiencing the loss, but also for those who support that person.  I have experienced loss from both perspectives. Working with women who are experiencing or have experienced loss has taught me kindness and compassion, understanding and listening and to always value those you hold close.

How would you describe your approach to leadership?

I hope that I am a compassionate leader. I believe that my experiences as a midwife, working with women and their families has given me the skills that I need to do this.

What values matter most to you in your work?

Openness and honesty matter most to me in my work, both in midwifery and across all aspects of my career.

How has midwifery changed since you first qualified?

Even though I don’t practice hand on midwifery these days, I know that is has changed for the better and worse since I first started practicing. I remember the days when we truly worked ‘with women’. When you had a case load and got to know ‘your’ woman and their families, enjoyed being with them when they had their babies and also got to look after them postnatally. This really enable you to recognise when things were not quite right physically, emotionally and socially. This is not so easy for midwives to achieve these days due to much higher, more complex caseloads and time restraints.

What continues to motivate you in your role?

I love my role as Deputy Director for Safeguarding in the ICB. It is a far cry from my original qualification as a midwife, but I still hold close to my values of working with people and advocating on their behalf.

What advice would you give to new midwives?

🙄🙄🤔🤔🤯🤯 Don’t do it!!!!! Not really……. Enjoy the process and remain true to the reason that you chose this vocation. Midwifery is more than a job, it is a way to live your life, to support women in their most vulnerable times and to celebrate in their joy.

CJ’ Celia Jeffreys, Midwife and Deputy Director for Safeguarding Adults at NHS North East London