The midwifery profession is in crisis. Across the UK, midwives are feeling the strain of a system that often prioritises targets over people, leaving many questioning their ability to continue. Recent statistics paint a troubling picture: a 2023 Royal College of Midwives survey revealed that 57% of midwives are considering leaving the NHS, citing burnout, moral distress, and workplace bullying as key reasons (RCM, 2023). But amidst the challenges lies an alternative pathway—one that honours the values and autonomy that drew many of us to midwifery in the first place: independent practice.
The Challenges Facing NHS Midwives
1. Post-Traumatic Stress Injury and Vicarious Trauma
Supporting families through some of the most emotional moments of their lives is both a privilege and a heavy burden. When care is compromised by short-staffing or systemic pressure, midwives are left to pick up the emotional pieces. Witnessing traumatic events or feeling powerless to prevent harm can lead to vicarious trauma and, over time, post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI).
2. Moral Injury and Distress
Moral injury occurs when midwives are unable to provide the care they know is right due to institutional constraints. Whether it’s feeling forced to cut corners or being complicit in systems that compromise patient safety, this disconnect between professional values and practice leads to moral distress – a deep sense of guilt and disillusionment.
3. Burnout and Workplace Bullying
The relentless demands of understaffed shifts, excessive workloads, and insufficient support are causing burnout at an alarming rate. Add to this the toxic culture of workplace bullying, which disproportionately affects newly qualified midwives, and it’s no wonder that the profession is experiencing an exodus.
A Midwife’s Pride and Love for the Profession
Despite these challenges, let me be clear: midwifery is an extraordinary profession. It’s a calling rooted in compassion, connection, and care. I have been a midwife for 35 years, and I carry immense pride in what this role means—not just for the women we support, but for the strength and resilience it fosters in us as practitioners.
But loving midwifery doesn’t mean staying in a system that breaks you.
Independent Midwifery: A Return to Autonomy and Women-Centred Care
Independent midwifery offers a path back to the essence of what midwifery should be: autonomy, individualised care, and the freedom to practice on your own terms.
1. Autonomy in Practice
Independent midwives have the power to create their own schedules, set their own boundaries, and focus on providing the kind of care that resonates with their values. No more rushing between patients or compromising on quality due to time constraints.
2. Women-Centred Care
By stepping out of the NHS, independent midwives can return to what matters most: building trusting relationships with families. You can support women holistically, prioritising their needs without the interference of bureaucracy.
3. Sustainable Work-Life Balance
Independent practice allows midwives to structure their careers around their lives, not the other way around. Whether it’s working fewer hours, diversifying your services, or focusing on areas like birth planning or debriefing, independent midwifery is a chance to rediscover joy in your work.
Not All Is Lost: A Path to Healing
If you’re reading this and feeling like the wind has been taken out of your sails, know that you are not alone. The challenges you’ve faced may have left scars, but they do not define your future. Independent midwifery is a chance to heal, grow, and thrive in a way that aligns with your passion for supporting women.
My Vision for Midwifery
As an independent midwife mentor, my mission is to help midwives like you reclaim your career. Together, we can build a future where you’re empowered to practice midwifery on your own terms—free from burnout, bullying, and systemic pressures. This isn’t just about leaving the NHS; it’s about finding your way back to a profession you love.
Are You Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’re curious about what independent midwifery could look like for you, I invite you to explore this path with me. Take my self assessment quiz and find out how ready you are to step into independent practice.
The road ahead may feel uncertain, but it’s also full of possibility. Independent midwifery isn’t just a career change—it’s a chance to rediscover yourself as a midwife and reignite your passion for this incredible profession.
Linda Lilwall is an award-winning independent midwife with over 35 years of experience in the field of midwifery. As the founder of the Independent Midwife Success Accelerator Program, Linda is a passionate advocate for empowering midwives to reclaim their careers and create meaningful, independent practices. Her 12-week mentorship program provides practical, step-by-step guidance for midwives transitioning away from the NHS, helping them establish thriving businesses that align with their values and support their well-being.
Book a Discovery call with Linda if you are interested in becoming or developing as an Independent Midwife.
References:
0 Comments