NI male midwife on how babies have been named after him – and what he does to celebrate new mums

Vince Rosales has been working in the maternity unit at the Ulster Hospital for two years after making the change from working as a nurse in the emergency department.

When he and his wife were expecting their first child, Vince said he was deeply moved by the experience and the care both he and his wife received, sparking an interest in a career in midwifery.

He was determined to make a difference to the lives of expectant mothers and their families and since he joined the maternity unit, Vince’s compassionate care, genuine empathy and unwavering dedication have earned him the admiration and gratitude of patients and colleagues.

He said: “In my first placement, I was surprised to discover that I was the only male midwife in Northern Ireland. I love looking after the mums and parents. They are really thankful and happy with the care I give them.

“In my first two years delivering and assisting a baby into this world, two mums have named their babies after me. This is such a special honour and recognition from the parents for being so thankful for how I looked after them. This is so special to me.

“My favourite thing is to sing Happy Birthday to all the first-time mums, this is a way of celebrating them being a first-time mum and dad on their journey as first-time parents.

“I hope that someday there will be more male midwives in Northern Ireland. For anyone who is thinking about being a midwife, just go for it. This is such a fantastic, rewarding career.”

The South Eastern Trust said they wanted to celebrate Vince to help mark International Day of the Midwife, which will take place on May 5.

Lead midwife, Sarah McKevitt, said: “Vince is a great member of the team and like all the staff in the Maternity Unit, he is very committed to all the expectant mums, dads and all their newborn babies. He is a delight to work with.”