Celebrating International Day of the Midwife - Sally Hillman

Today is International Day of the Midwife – a day when Mater recognises the extraordinary work and commitment of our hundreds of midwives.

 

Sally Hillman has cared for more than 1,000 premature babies over the past 40 years, and the Mater Mothers' Private Rockhampton special care nursing midwife has no plans to stop any time soon.

 

Seeing the most critically ill and vulnerable newborns finally go home is still the surest way to put a smile on Sally’s face.

 

“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of caring for beautiful new babies and helping families at such a precious time in their lives,” she said.

 

“It’s an honour to be able to witness and assist families as they welcome a new life into the world.” 

 

Sally is one of 31 midwives being celebrated at Mater Mothers' Private Rockhampton this International Midwives’ Day.

 

She works in the special care nursery, not very far from the paediatric ward where she started her career as a registered nurse in 1983.  

 

“To be able to see a premature baby born, and care and cuddle them over the next weeks or months as they grow and get stronger in hospital, and then watch them go home – you realise you have one of the best jobs in the world,” she said.

 

Sally said she has cared for three generations of babies from the same family.

 

“It’s amazing how many times a grandmother visiting their new grandchild in hospital will remember me and how I helped them care for their baby 20 odd years ago,” she said.

 

“I always said I wasn’t old enough to be delivering second generations in the one family but now I’m also getting third generations!

 

“All the babies I’ve cared for over the years have been special and they’ve all left a mark on my heart.”

 

Sally said she was one member of a tight-knit team of professionals who were dedicated to their patients.

 

“Every member of the team goes above and beyond to help critically ill babies and their families,” she said. 

 

“It’s incredibly fulfilling work. At 61, I have no plans to retire any time soon.”