May 5, 2025Midwives are the heroes of millions of stories.
Today, 5 May, Northern Health is celebrating the International Day of the Midwife. To mark the occasion, we’re sharing the thoughts of our very own Seda Kiroglu, Midwifery Unit Manager for Maternity, Birthing Support, Maternity in the Home, and Specialist Breastfeeding Services.
Q: What does International Day of the Midwife mean to you?
A: To me, the International Day of the Midwife is a powerful reminder of the incredible role midwives play — not just in bringing new life into the world, but in supporting families and creating a safe space during some of their most vulnerable moments. It’s a day to celebrate the quiet strength, compassion, and skill it takes to guide someone through birth. It also feels like a call to recognise and honour the dedication midwives show, often working long hours, making personal sacrifices, and continuously advocating for better, safer births. Personally, it reminds me of the trust and courage that exist between a midwife and the families they care for — and how midwives help shape healthier futures for every life they touch.
Q: Why did you want to become a midwife?
A: I wanted to become a midwife because I have always been an empathetic person, and I have found birth to be one of the most fascinating and beautiful experiences in life. Being able to witness and support a woman and her family as they bring new life into the world is something very close to my heart. My love language is acts of service, so being able to offer compassion and care through my work is something that truly keeps both my cup and my heart full.
Q: Tell us about your journey to become a midwife.
A: I initially completed my Bachelor of Nursing and undertook my nursing graduate year at another health service. In 2015, I commenced my Postgraduate year of Midwifery at Northern Health, and I have been here ever since, working in various midwifery roles. I have now been in the NUM role for the past three years.
Q: What inspires you?
A: There are many things that inspire me to come to work every day. One of them is the new challenges I face regularly. Challenges aren’t necessarily negative – in fact, I see them as positive opportunities for growth, both personally and for our health service. Every woman and her family has their own unique story and experience, and being able to be part of that, or to create a space where families feel safe and supported, is a huge source of inspiration for me.
As a manager, I aim to lead by example by consistently reflecting the values of Northern Health, as well as the core values of midwifery, to my team — so that this can flow through to the care we provide to our patients and their families.
Q: Tell us about a particular patient or care interaction that has really stuck with you.
A: There have been many interactions that have stayed with me over the years, but one that is especially close to my heart was during my time as a Domiciliary Midwife. I was visiting a patient who had recently given birth, and when I saw her name, it felt familiar, but I wasn’t sure if it was just a coincidence. As soon as her husband opened the front door, we instantly recognised each other, and I was hit with a wave of emotion. A few years earlier, I had cared for them when they sadly lost their first baby.
For me, it felt like a full-circle moment – a sense of closure. While nothing can change the loss they experienced, seeing them now, with their newborn, knowing they finally had the chance to experience the joys they missed out on before, was incredibly special. It was such a bittersweet moment for all of us. We sat together, reflecting on the years that had passed, the journey through their grief, and now, celebrating the arrival of their beautiful baby.
Q: Do you have a message for your midwifery colleagues?
A: You can never stop striving to be a better version of yourself – both as a midwife and as an individual. Each woman, each birth, and each interaction shape the midwives we are today. Some days may be tougher than others, however, even though we are passengers on a woman’s birthing journey, we are also there to guide them, helping to make their road to bringing new life into the world as smooth as possible. Our role is to help them navigate around the potholes and impending roadblocks – and when some challenges are unavoidable, we are there to walk beside them, every step of the way.
