A message from Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwifery Officer for England

Every year I never fail to be amazed by the midwifery contribution to the maternity experiences and health outcomes of women and babies.

The expert skills, care and guidance that will ripple through generations is inspirational, but this International Year of the Nurse and Midwife has offered even more chance to reflect on the incredible life changing, life enhancing contributions that every midwife makes, day-in, day-out.

This has not been the year we expected the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife to be, but in rising to the challenges of an unprecedented pandemic and by sensitively leading Covid responses to ensure every woman has continued receiving the safe and personal care she deserves, every midwife should be proud of the part that they have played in the NHS this year.

In the Midlands, just as across the whole country, the innovation, resilience and dedication that has been shown, is nothing short of admirable and the stories set out in this book are a remarkable testament to the whole profession.