20 November 2018

It was purely by chance that two Shropshire midwives found themselves working together – and they couldn’t believe it when they found out what uniquely connected them.

Oswestry midwife Tracy Jones has delivered hundreds of babies over the last three decades; and she was stunned when she discovered that one of those babies, Georgina Peate, was now training alongside her as a student midwife.

Tracy and Georgina take a look at the births register at Oswestry MLU

Tracy, who works at Oswestry’s Midwife Led Unit (MLU), said: “Fate has definitely played a part in this!”

Now 20, Georgina was born on March 20 1998, delivered by Tracy at the very unit where they now work.

Georgina said: “I knew that I had been born at the unit, but I had absolutely no idea that Tracy had actually delivered me. One quiet afternoon we got out the old registers and had a look and neither of us could believe it when we found out. When I told my mum and showed her a picture, she recognised Tracy straight away, it was brilliant.

“For me to be able to train as a midwife is something that I have always wanted to do since I was very little – but to be able to train alongside Tracy who delivered me, it’s been so special.”

Tracy added: “It is like we have come full circle. I was there helping when she was born and now I am helping her to pursue a career in midwifery. I have had lots of student midwives working with me over the years, and it is always special – but this is extra special.”

Georgina as a baby with her family, including mum Angela

Tracy became a midwife around 32 years ago having first started her career as a nurse, and has been based in Oswestry for the last 22 years.

“I always knew that I wanted to be a nurse, and it was when I was working on a mother and baby unit that I felt a pull to midwifery, and that is what I have done ever since,” said Tracy.

“I have helped to deliver hundreds of babies over the years and when I go out in Oswestry I am always being stopped by people saying that I delivered their baby, or a relative’s. It is wonderful really.”

Georgina will finish her midwifery training next year when she is hoping to further her career in Shropshire as a midwife with SaTH.

Sue Oliver, Ward Manager at Oswestry MLU, said: “It was fantastic when we found out that we had a student working at the unit who was delivered here; and it is quite unique and special that she is being mentored by the very midwife who delivered her! They share a very special relationship.”