Meet the Christmas ANGELS

It may be the festive season, but babies are still being born and these three midwives are happy to sacrifice some family time for the miracle of birth

- KATE CHAPMAN

‘It’s worth the juggling act’

Nichola Coliandris, 48, a senior midwife and foetal monitoring lead, lives with her husband Tony, 55, and daughters Isabelle, 19, Emily, 18, and Nelly, 14, in Bridport, Dorset.

Spotting the advert for a midwifery course in March 2003, my hands flew to my own bump. I was a recovery and critical care nurse and expecting my second child, but changes were being made in my department, and pregnancy had always fascinated me.

Despite being eight months gone, it was a chance I couldn’t miss. ‘You should go for it,’ a colleague agreed.

Our daughter Emily arrived soon after and when she was nine months old, I started the course.

It was challenging, dealing with the dizzying highs of welcoming much-longed-for babies and the crushing lows, like baby loss. Especially as Tony and I were caring for Emily and her older sister Isabelle, then two, at home. I loved it though, and after I qualified, we moved to Dorset and had our third daughter, Nelly, in nurse, so when the girls were little it was a juggle making sure one of us was home for Christmas. But we planned ahead, and always grabbed some family time over the festive season.

I’m now a senior midwife and foetal monitoring lead, working in hospital supporting staff and delivering babies.

A labour ward is always busy, but we make a real effort at Christmas. There are packs for the babies with cute festive knitted hats – and on the day itself, all our mums get a delicious turkey dinner, with food and soft drinks for the staff as well. My girls are 19, 18 and 14 now, and they appreciate that we’re working, helping other people.