A day in the life of a research midwife

To celebrate International Day of the Midwife (5 May) we would like you to introduce you to one of the Health and Care Research Wales’ midwives who are delivering research on the ground.  

Meet Sharon Jones, Lead Research Midwife at Swansea Bay University Health Board and member of the Health and Care Research Wales delivery staff. As a research midwife, her daily routine is a whirlwind of activity which are essential to improving maternity services for people in Wales. 

Building trust and identifying potential participants 

Sharon's mornings often involve visiting clinical areas. This not only allows her to maintain strong relationships with colleagues but also helps to identify potential participants for ongoing research projects.  

Study recruitment 

While some days follow a routine, a responsive approach is always required to enable Sharon to engage with potential participants or clinical staff and recruit women or babies into various studies. A phone call from a clinic might alert her to a new mother who could be a perfect fit for a specific study. Sharon excels at explaining the research process and what would be required of someone taking part in one of the studies she is working on.  

Data, study set up and more 

Back in the office, Sharon juggles a variety of tasks. From overseeing the collection of data to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of study participants which is always her top priority. She also works closely with her colleagues to set up new studies, a process demanding careful planning and coordination. 

Sharon’s latest study  

Sharon and her team have recently completed a UK-wide ABA-feed study. Almost 200 first-time mums have volunteered for this study looking into whether extra support helps them feed their babies in a way that works for them. 

Sharon said:  

“The ABA-feed study has had really good engagement from the mums which was reflected in the recruitment numbers. 

“We also had great engagement with our infant feeding peer supporters who volunteered to do specific training to enable them to help the new mothers navigate their breastfeeding journey.”  

Spreading the knowledge 

Sharon's dedication extends beyond the completion of a study. She believes that research is crucial for progress in maternity care not just in Wales and in the UK but all around the world too. She sees the positive impact of these studies on everyday clinical practise.   

"My job is not done when the study is finished.  

It’s also very important for me to make sure the results are shared with our colleagues.” 

“Seeing midwives across the world changing their practice and and how they care for mums and babies underpins the importance of research. 

Research midwifery, as Sharon exemplifies, is a collaborative effort and she ensures every participant feels valued and appreciated. 

Sharon continued: 

“It's a team effort and everyone who participates is a vital part of that.” 

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