Miss Niamh McCabe

Miss Niamh McCabe 2017-01-26 Person 5 5 0

In NI we have a completely medicalised culture in maternity care. This suits some womens' needs, but ultimately disempowers women, and their carers. Recent evidence, e.g. With regard to "cold" Caesarean sections, would suggest that the long term consequences may be further reaching than were previously recognised. Niamh McCabe has upheld the ethos of a "hands off" approach, and has put women at the centre of all the care she provides, regardless of her critics. This does not mean that she never has a bad outcome, unfortunately there will always be poor outcomes, regardless of intervention rates. It does mean, however, that many ,many women have had their wishes respected and observed in a way that was unheard of in our province. It also allowed some midwives, who worked with Niamh in Lagan Valley, and later in RJMH, to practise midwifery in a way that would never have been possible previously. I can say, without any shadow of doubt, that she enabled me to change my practice, and give truly women centred care, in a way that would never have been possible without her. I have the utmost respect and loyalty to Niamh, and know that the women she has made such a massive difference to would say the same.