The Cardiff University Midwifery Society go the extra mile to deliver kindness and support to women in maternity care

The Cardiff University Midwifery Society (MidSoc) has developed an initiative to deliver kindness and supportive gestures to women within maternity care. The pro-active and thoughtful group have set up donation points where they collect gifts which are later distributed to women who are due to or have just given birth.

Second year student midwives returned to clinial practice in September 2020 - the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak. The impact the pandemic was having on the maternity wards was clear. Women spending time on antenatal and postnatal wards without seeing their loved ones were especially affected. MidSoc decided that they wanted to help women not feel so alone by collecting gifts from students, midwives and members of the public, to let them know they were thinking of them.

The thoughtful ‘pick me up’ gift bags have been delivered to the women in maternity units within the practice areas that support Cardiff midwifery students. Packed in brown paper bags and sealed with a heart, donations included body wash, hair accessories, crossword books, hand creams, body scents and face masks. The students also made their own affirmation cards as supportive gestures for the women.

Polly Ellis and Robyn Warrington, who have been distributing the gifts on behalf of MidSoc, commented; “We have had the privilege of personally delivering the gifts and the positive feedback from the women has been amazing to hear. We’re so glad that we could spread a little happiness.”

“One woman was brought to tears when receiving the gift. She explained that they were happy tears, but she missed her partner so much and was very grateful for such a kind gesture.”

Many local businesses supported the cause and donation points were arranged in and around Cardiff including at the Purpose Chiropractic in Penarth, Viva Organic, and Bird and Blend in Cardiff, as well as at the Midwifery Led Unit in the University Hospital of Wales. The students hope to continue the donation appeal for as long as they can, especially when the regulations ease and they can rally more support.

Midwifery Lecturer, Nerys Kirtley, supporting the venture, said:

“The whole midwifery team commend MidSoc on such a thoughtful and compassionate gesture. We are very proud of them, they are a credit to the profession”.