Ep 86 Bev Jervis on the Need for Persistence in Midwifery Reform to Navigate Childbirth Services

Ep 86 (ibit.ly/Re5V) Bev Jervis on the Need for Persistence in Midwifery Reform to Navigate Childbirth Services

@PhDMidwives  #research #midwifery @SalfordUni @radmidassoc #mentorship #leadership #maternalmovementduringlabour #homebirth

What if your own childbirth experience could inspire a career dedicated to empowering women?  Bev Jervis joins us to share her transformative journey into midwifery, sparked by personal experiences that highlighted the need for informed choice and support during childbirth. From a disempowering second pregnancy to a fulfilling career, Bev's story is a powerful testament to the impact of compassionate care and informed consent in maternity services.

Throughout our conversation, Bev provides an inside look at the contrasting cultures within maternity care settings, having trained in both large hospitals and smaller local ones. She opens up about overcoming personal challenges, like a relationship breakdown during her training, and how these experiences shaped her professional path. Bev also recounts her pivotal role in establishing a successful home birth team, underscoring her commitment to collaborative, woman-centered care and her passion for continuity.

As the conversation unfolds, we tackle the pressing challenges facing maternity services today, from systemic strains to the emotional toll on healthcare professionals. Bev offers her insights on how socio-political influences and COVID-19 have exacerbated these issues, while also discussing her academic journey and the serendipitous opportunities that arose. With a focus on future research and advocacy, Bev shares her hopes for systemic reform and the potential for midwifery practices to shape maternity care positively. 

Chapters

• 0:00 Path to Midwifery
• 9:24 Journey to Midwifery Career Expansion
• 25:43 Balancing PhD, Family, and Identity
• 41:59 Impending Collapse of Maternity System
• 52:48 Researching Successful Midwifery Practices