Midwives at the ready for different kinds of Christmas deliveries!

You only have to look around at the number of Noels and Nollaigs about for proof that childbirth doesn’t stop at Christmas!

And for community midwife Teresa Forde-Curtin from Kinvara, the Maternity Unit of University Hospital Galway is the best place to work at Christmas.

“To be part of a baby being born and the newness of life coming into the world is the most humbling experience. It’s an honour and privilege to be part of and present at a birth.

“When you’re delivering a baby regardless whether it’s Christmas Day, Christmas night or the middle of July, our main focus is the safety of mother and baby, but Christmas is about family and the birth of a baby, and it’s just so special to be present as they add another member to their family,” said Teresa.

Though she’s not delivered a Nollaig or Noel, she had a Leon one year. “They told me that was Noel backwards,” she laughed.

“I’ve delivered Hollys, Robins, Josephs, Marys, and one year I delivered an Emanuel for a Nigerian family. They invited me to the christening and the pastor asked me to lay my hands on the baby. Even though it’s 20 years ago I’ll never forget it. It was really, really special – you form a bond with these women,” added Teresa.

Read Teresa’s full story – and meet her midwifery colleagues at UHG – in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops from this Wednesday. Or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie