Two young midwives working on Christmas Day said they are looking forward to sharing "extra magical memories" with new mums.
Megan Huntington and Rebekah Bookless are both midwives at Liverpool Women's Hospital and will be working shifts on Christmas Day. The two women spoke to the ECHO about their pride in working at the hospital and how delivering babies and sharing special moments with people is the "most amazing feeling".
Megan qualified as a midwife just over a year ago and has recently joined the hospital's midwife at home team. The 23-year-old, who lives in Wallasey, is part of a team that provides a 24-hour, on-call service throughout the year for women considering giving birth at home.
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Megan, who is working a full 12-hour shift on Christmas Day, told the ECHO : "It's so special to be with them in the comfort of their own home. Some people don't feel comfortable going to a hospital so it's a really nice extra touch to offer them.
"I think working on Christmas Day will be extra magical being in families' homes surrounded by their tree and presents. When I go to people's houses they make you feel part of their family. It's very Scouse to welcome people into your own home and be so kind."
Megan, who studied midwifery at Edge Hill University, added: "I always wanted to be a midwife. When I was younger I volunteered with my local GP. The Women's Hospital is quite local to me but I always wanted to work there because everyone knows how amazing a hospital it is. I worked last year on Christmas Day on the maternity ward - the midwives are like my second family."
Like Megan, Rebekah came to Liverpool Women's Hospital due to its reputation. Rebekah, originally from London, moved to the hospital around a year-and-a-half ago.
The 25-year-old, who now lives near Sefton Park, said she moved to the city with her partner who will also be working on Christmas Day in the fire service. Rebekah said since moving to the city she has fallen in love with Liverpool because of "how friendly and sociable the people are - and all the green spaces".
Rebekah, who works in the continuity team, told the ECHO : "Everyone knows how respected the hospital is - I had to be a part of it. I'm so proud to work for the hospital and in such a respected field of midwifery." She is part of a new team which sees the same midwives care for mums before, during and after their babies' birth.
Rebekah said this care is "extra special and better for the mums". She gave a recent example of how she delivered a baby five weeks ago and since then has been the only midwife the mum has dealt with.
She has worked over the Christmas period every year since she qualified. She told the ECHO : "I don't have children and I know it can be really hard for people who have them to work on Christmas. It's always a really good atmosphere when you're on shift.
"The women you're looking after are extra grateful and it all feels really festive. I'm on the night shift on Christmas Day so I can enjoy my morning but can't go too wild. I'll then have some delayed celebrations with my family in London in the new year."
Megan told the ECHO she is a "Christmas elf" who plays festive music from August. She added: "I'd have tree up all year around if I could - and I'm looking forward to visiting family and spending time with them when I can.
"What we do is a lovely job all year round. But working on Christmas makes it an extra magical day."
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