Trainee midwife to visit Zanzibar

A student midwife is planning a two-week placement in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in the new year.

Mother-of-four Julie White (37) of Syerston Way, Newark, is in her final year of training after starting in March 2007. She is a student at the University of Nottingham and is based at Lincoln County Hospital.

She will be going to Zanzibar with three other students — Jane Stephenson (37) Hannah Lambert (21) and Mel Jenkins (21).

Julie said when the trip was initially discussed it sounded exciting but scary. She said she had been unable to say no but was aware of the need to resolve issues such as childcare, injections and paying for the trip.

She felt privileged to be one of the four midwives going.

She said they were looking forward to observing emergency maternity care and gaining an insight into back-to-basics, low-tech maternity care.

They will also look at antenatal care, observe positions for labour and birth, and breastfeeding techniques.

Julie said they hoped to gain confidence in supporting natural childbirth and build on their breastfeeding knowledge and support.

They are also looking forward to understanding a different culture and overcoming language barriers.

The midwives are each trying to raise the £2,000 they need to pay for the placement and are appealing to businesses to help with sponsorship.

Anyone able to help can contact them at sponsorship@zanibarmidwives.com

Further information is available at www.zanzibarmidwives.com where sponsors will be listed.