Sabrina Gabriela – Registered Midwife

Sabrina is a Registered Midwife committed to the pursuit of excellence in midwifery and all the areas between maternity including antenatal care, birthing unit, operating theatres, postnatal care, general nursery, NICU, caseload, etc.

Being a midwife is more than just delivering babies. A midwife is usually the first and main point of contact for a woman during her pregnancy, throughout labour and the early postnatal period in their transition to parenthood. Sabrina’s daily endeavour is to empower women by providing them with more choices, maintaining and increasing the continuity of care models, promoting and providing women-centred care, and advocating and supporting women to make informed choices about their care regardless of their background, ethnicity or financial status.

Tell us about what your role as a midwife involves 

Midwives are relied upon by women to provide top level advice and assistance during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. 

The role of the midwife is very diverse. I carry out clinical examinations, provide health and parent’s education, and support the mother and her family throughout the childbearing process to help them adjust to their transition to parenthood. 

I also work in partnership with other health professionals and social care services to meet individual mother’s needs, for example, teenage mothers, mothers who are socially disadvantaged or excluded, mothers with incapacities and mothers from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

What did you study to get into midwifery?

I did follow a long pathway by personal choice. I began my Nursing studies as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN), then I become an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (EEN), then I completed my Bachelors of Nursing, and finally, I completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery to become a Registered Midwife. 

I have also completed other university postgraduate courses across the Midwifery field to enhance my career progression in Primary Maternity Care Provision. I have completed Screening, Diagnostics, Pharmacology and Prescribing for Midwives, and initiated my Masters in Midwifery, which allows me to be accredited with Medicare to become an Eligible Midwife Prescriber. 

Name a career highlight:

Being a midwife is a daily highlight, a privilege and rewarding in so many ways. A joyful journey, empowering women through their own journey to motherhood. No mother, baby, family or birth is the same and we get the gift to be part of it and witness the arrival of a precious new life to this world. 

Name a career low

A workplace culture reform is well overdue. Real improvements need to take place to ensure a safe and thriving environment.
Unfortunately, the current workplace culture has a dramatic impact on the workforce and its patients, as it is a challenging workplace setting socially, economically and culturally. As a maternity workforce, we should be focusing on building a strong resilient midwifery workforce with a particular emphasis on workplace culture and the emotional wellbeing of the midwives. 

What inspired you to get into nursing and midwifery?

I did study Medicine overseas for a while, always aspiring to work between in a maternity or obstetrics setting with women and babies, so when I became aware of the possibility of becoming a Midwife I didn’t give it a second thought. I knew it was for me, is my passion and despite the difficulties we may encounter while providing care, I always find it rewarding above all.

What qualities and skills should people have if they want to be a midwife?

Being accountable and a competent professional with the ability to practice safely is a given.
My experience working with women and their families brings to mind some basic but very powerful and meaningful qualities which are important, these include; being a good listener; being empathetic to their feelings and needs, and to be understanding and patient. It’s important to let patients know that with the right support there is no challenge they cannot overcome – it’s important they are supported and understood, regardless of their situation we are qualified and equipped to be at their service. 

What are the steps people have to take to become a midwife and what is the standard salary?

It is recommended to become a Registered Nurse first as it will provide the experience and skills to become a competent professional in various areas, and then specialise in Midwifery. Nursing and midwifery intertwine across different areas, so is important to have the nursing skills as well, however, these days some universities offer direct entry to midwifery students.

Sometimes there is a requirement to work rotating shifts including day and night duty, to be on-call and travel between the hospital and the mother’s home. The majority of midwives pay and working conditions are determined by the Department of Health, Nurses & Midwives Union, or private agreements.

Salaries vary between the public and private sector, also different wages are available for midwives working in the community, birth centres and Dr’s rooms. Nursing and midwifery hourly pay is based on years of experience and roles. 

If a career as a midwife or nurse is your calling then be sure to get the right skills and accreditation with our range of Courses in Nursing. Enquire today!