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Recognising our midwives

Globally, the International Day of the Midwife occurs each year on 4 May. This is a chance for all of us to celebrate the midwives in our lives and communities and recognise their work and contribution to maternal and newborn health.

The vision of future healthcare is also at the forefront of all that GenV is aiming to achieve through its world-leading research project. Midwives play a critical part in helping GenV realise this goal.

Learn more about a few midwives who are members of our team.

Meet GenV Recruiter Karen Wilshier

What is your role at GenV and why did you get involved with GenV?

I am a Gen V recruiter at St John of God in Berwick and I also work as a midwife and Maternal and child health nurse, supporting families in the community. As soon as I read about Gen V I knew I wanted to join this amazing team to help improve the lives of children and families.

How do you think GenV will help current and future generations?

I could see the huge potential this project has to change and improve pre conception care, pregnancy and childhood health and wellbeing for families not only in Victoria,  but potentially nationally and around the world.

What is one piece of advice that you have for future parents going through pregnancy right now?

My advice to future parents would be to be kind to yourself , ask for support when you need it and trust that you are doing the best you can for your child.

What do you want to say to the midwives working in our community?

Thank you for recognising the amazing work midwives do to support women and families in Gen V.

Meet GenV Area Manager Liz O'Donnell

What is your role at GenV and why did you get involved with GenV?

I have been a midwife for 20 years now and was lucky to work at the Royal Womens Hospital and at Joan Kirner I have had the honour of meeting hundreds of families through this time.

How do you think GenV will help current and future generations?

Over the past 3 years I have been both a recruiter and now an area manager for Gen V.  These roles have given me such joy and hope for the future.  I am forever grateful for all those families that are generous with their time and are excited to do something that is for the greater good.  I am so excited to see where Gen V will go and what it will achieve, I expect it will be the thing that I look back on in my old age and proudly tell my grandkids about, imagine being part of a project that will almost certainly make a whole generation of children healthier.

What is one piece of advice that you have for future parents going through pregnancy right now?

I remember so clearly how it feels to be a new mum, the tiredness and the overwhelm.  I had three kids in three years!  For those that are pregnant now, rest up, eat well, take a babymoon if you can but most importantly read and inform yourself of the possibility of being part of something wonderful and exciting, something bigger than you ever thought possible, Gen V.

Meet GenV Area Manager Anna Cosgrave

What is your role at GenV and why did you get involved with GenV?

I am a midwife and Area Manager for Box Hill, Mitcham, and Waverley hospitals. I got involved with GenV to contribute to the base of knowledge we need to give families the best possible care at all stages of their journey.

How do you think GenV will help current and future generations?

The possibilities are endless! This project has the potential to change the way we understand total health not just for this generation but for ones to come. It will aid clinical staff doing the hard work on the floor to make evidenced based recommendations to the families they serve.

What is one piece of advice that you have for future parents going through pregnancy right now?

Get as much information as possible! Our job as clinicians is to tell you the evidence and help you make the right decision for you, your body, your baby, and your family.

Meet GenV Recruiter Jennifer Britton

What is your role at GenV and why did you get involved with GenV?

I am a former midwife now GenV recruiter based at Mitcham Private and Waverley Private Hospitals. I became involved with GenV as I believe good health and wellbeing underpins all facets of life so it’s great to be a part of an initiative that is working to improve the health and wellbeing of all.

How do you think GenV will help current and future generations?

By creating a pool of participants, we give researchers the best opportunity to explore many and varied questions of health and wellbeing that previously were not possible or too difficult. Given the enormous size of the cohort, any new care practices that come about from the research can be applied more universally and with greater confidence.

What is one piece of advice that you have for future parents going through pregnancy right now?

Do what gives you peace of mind in your pregnancy, birthing and parenting journey – it’s your own individual experience. And of course have a look into GenV to see if it’s something you’d like to participate in, we’d love to have you!

GenV Team
Article by GenV Team