A MIDWIFE who works as part of a ‘better birth’ team at Barnsley Hospital has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award for her lifesaving work for both mums and babies.

Leah Darby, of Park Side Road, Hoyland Common, works as part ofthe ‘Ruby’ group – a team of eight midwives who deliver continued care to expectant mothers from antenatal appointments, throughout the birth and then with postnatal care and check-ups.

The 36-year-old mum-of-two has been praised her efforts in creating a close bond between patient and midwife during the pregnancy process.

Leah said: “The ‘Ruby’ group aim to provide the best care possible to expectant mothers, regardless of where they are in the pregnancy.

“What I love about this job is being able to see our women at each stage of their pregnancy from antenatal appointments to aftercare.

“It’s so important to provide this continuity of care to our women so that they feel more like a friend than a patient.”

An expectant mother, who was apprehensive about the birthing process following previous concerns, gave birth with Leah at her side and said the trusting relationship they established was key.

“The mum was incredibly worried about giving birth but because we’d spent the entire pregnancy together, we built up a level of trust and hopefully reassured her.

“This is the part of the job I absolutely love, and it’s the reason why we do what we do. Luckily both mum and baby were healthy.”

Upon hearing that she’d been nominated in the Hospital Hero category at this year’s Proud of Barnsley, Leah said: “I just feel like I’m doing a job I adore.

“This isn’t just a nomination for me, but the entirety of ‘Ruby’ group who have made so many sacrifices during this incredibly tough time.

“’We’re an amazing team and I couldn’t do any of this without them.”