“Lucky to be a midwife”
April 13, 2025
Blen is a Hamlin Midwife working in Fedis Woreda and she shares her experience as a Hamlin Midwife.
Blen graduated from the Hamlin College of Midwives in 2016. She works at the Boko Health Centre in Fedis Woreda as a midwife and team leader.
“I believe being a Hamlin Midwife is a blessing. I was fortunate to receive my education at the College and I feel very lucky for this opportunity.
Being there for a woman from the start
When a woman discovers her pregnancy I provide antenatal care including a follow-up schedule and health education. I reassure her about delivering at the health centre. It is crucial to manage situations early - if complications arise, we must send the mother to the nearest hospital for advanced care. During delivery, I provide care based on the protocols I learned in my education, ensuring a safe delivery. I also offer essential newborn and follow up care.
Significant challenges
The lack of standard resources and the latest equipment remains a significant challenge. Another challenge is that women may deliver at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants. They may only arrive when they are in the second stage of labour which presents a significant challenge for us.
A career defining moment
When I was less than three months into my career, I helped a woman deliver her baby after a long labour. But the baby was in distress so I continued to work to save the baby. I was filled with hope and excitement when he began to cry properly. I placed him with his mother and helped initiate breastfeeding.
I cannot express the joy I felt at that moment. I proudly said, ‘I am very lucky to be a midwife.’ The family of that baby still thinks of me and knows me. When they say, "Your child is growing" it brings me a deep sense of joy. I am truly delighted to hear this.
I would like to express my gratitude to Hamlin College of Midwives and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia for sponsoring my education and helping me achieve this milestone. I also want to extend my thanks to my family for their support.”
Project Zero is key to improving maternal healthcare in rural areas
Project Zero is critical to strengthening maternal healthcare services within Ethiopia to reduce the incidence of birth injuries. The goal is to establish a midwifery clinic in every woreda (district), staffed by Hamlin Midwives like Blen.
Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Elders past, present and emerging throughout Australia and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land and waterways on which our Australian office is situated. We acknowledge the many ethnic groups in Ethiopia and their ancestral and cultural connection to the land where our work is undertaken.