Maternity delivery service is ‘amazing’

Maternity delivery service is ‘amazing’

30 April 2025

A DOWNPATRICK mum is among a number praising the service delivered by staff at the Ulster Hospital’s maternity unit.

Catherine Cardwell has praised the care she received from health care assistant Amy Pyper at the baby unit.

After her son Ronan was born, Catherine described the care she received and the staff as “brilliant and just amazing”.

Having started her career as a healthcare assistant with the South Eastern Trust, Amy joined the post natal ward to become a maternity support worker in October last year.

“I really wanted to get hospital experience as I have always wanted to be a midwife,” she said.

“I thought that undertaking the course to become a Maternity Support Worker would be a great way to progress my career.”

Highlighting a typical day, Amy said when staff get the handover and find out about the mums who are on the ward, she would give mum and dad their first time baby bath demonstrations.

“I love the fact that we can come in here and make a difference to the mums on the ward and give them a helping hand when they need it, it is really rewarding,” she added.

Her colleague, Frances Topping, said there is nothing like new life being brought into the world and she has provided a gentle and reassuring hand to new mums and babies since taking up her role six years ago.

 Having started as a healthcare assistant in 2010, Frances shared how she was encouraged to pursue a post to become a maternity support worker.

“It was a year doing the course and I do not regret that time for a minute,” she said, explaining 

how maternity support workers are there to help when mums and their newborns come onto the post natal ward.

“We help with their personal care and to keep them mobilised especially when recovering from a C-section and help them to feed their babies. We would also carry out clinical duties if bloods need taken.  We really just help ease mums into motherhood,” she said.

“I love every minute of what I do. To see a mum coming down from the labour ward and to see new life, that baby in the mum’s arms, to see that joy, there is nothing like new life being brought into this world. It is a privilege every single day.”

Another maternity support worker, Ann Kelly, is encouraging anyone considering becoming a maternity support worker “to go for it.”

She has worked for the South Eastern Trust for 25 years and loves what she does.

“It is so rewarding,” said Ann.

“I liaise with the midwives and work alongside them in following their lead in helping with the delivery of babies. 

“If mum needs her blood pressure taken or if she needs her blood sugars done, we can do that and help with feeding and getting baby weighed. It is amazing to see the bond between mum and baby in the unit.”