A DAY in the life of Wagga midwife comes with many twists and turns.
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It might start off beautifully, but could end in a crisis. And despite the uncertainty of what could happen, registered midwife Allie Reid believes helping babies into the world is the most rewarding career she could hope for.
"Everyday is very different and when you're working on the labour ward, you never know how your day is going to go," she said.
"It might start beautiful, only to finish in crisis, but as long as the baby is safe at the end of the day - that's all that matters."
Midwifery, however, was not Miss Reid's original career choice. Fresh out of high school, she decided to explore her creative side in interior design and decorating - only to realise she "hated it."
After three years of study at Charles Sturt University and two years working as a registered nurse, she was accepted into the graduate diploma of midwifery.
"I worked up the ranks and eventually I became a midwife," Miss Reid said.
The self-declared "nerd" has kept a record of each baby she has helped deliver - 42 and counting.
"I have been very lucky to get some very beautiful births and some not so beautiful as well - but that comes in part and parcel of being a midwife," Miss Reid said.
The connection she has with expecting mothers was indescribable.
"They are entrusting me with their baby that they have been safely growing for nine months - there's a very strong bond when it comes to labour," she said.
"It's about open disclosure between the midwife and labouring women because it's about their birth and not our birth. At the end of the day, all we want is a safe baby and happy mum."
When it comes to labour, times have definitely changed. Gone are the days, where a father could be found pacing in the waiting room. Now, they are more proactive in birth from taking photos to passing their partner a drink of water.
"A lot of fathers don't feel like they're doing much, but just by being there and rubbing their back - they're massive things that the women do notice," Miss Reid said.
"Some fathers are very active with birth, so like hands-on-hands when the babies being born."
Miss Reid has also noticed more hypnobirthing and calmbirth techniques used more-and-more by mothers.
"There are mums who come in with birth plans, which is nice because they've thought about what they want, but sometimes those plans are thrown straight out the door," she said.
"Just as long as we're working with the ladies and following their wishes to the best we can, to make sure the mum and baby are safe."
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