International Day of the Midwife screening

As You Were screened for staff at the Royal Infirmary Hospital, Edinburgh in celebration of International Day of the Midwife, Monday 5 May 2025.

On the day of celebrations the labour ward was at ‘purple status’. This means that the ward is at full capacity and women who arrive at the hospital must be relocated to other units. The second maternity unit within NHS Lothian district is at St John’s Hospital in Livingston, about 40minutes away by car. St John’s maternity unit was also operating at purple status on that day and unable to admit pregnant patients. Maternity teams have minimal breaks or rest time during these periods. For this screeing, it meant few staff were able to sit and watch the film thoughout, although some managed to drop in for a short time on a break. I found it a valuable and meaningful experience being present and screening As You Were within this particular situation. A manifestation of the unpredictability of the body, pregnancy and birth inspite of being housed within highly regimented institutional structures.