A MIDWIFE who has helped bring thousands of babies into the world over a 33 year period has picked a particularly poignant time to say goodbye to the profession.

Wendy Anderson, who works in the birth centre at Burnley General Hospital chose May 5, International Midwives Day as her swansong.

Wendy, 55 from Brierfield, said: “I’ve been involved in the delivery of thousands of babies over the years and I can’t think of anything better than seeing the happiness on the parents’ faces when their babies are born.

“I have enjoyed so many highs throughout my career and have loved every minute of my role. Both the staff I have worked with and the people I have cared for have been incredible.

“There have been significant changes to maternity services throughout my career, especially within the community services.

“I remember having to carry all the heavy equipment needed for home births compared to now where we have an efficient service that delivers all the necessary kit to the home of the expectant mothers.

“I am so proud to have been part of a team that has made significant improvements to maternity services where we are able to offer every expectant mother; convenient, effective help and support at a time and place which suits them, from the moment they find out they’re pregnant until after they have delivered their baby.”

For International Day of the Midwife, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will be celebrating at all three birth centres in Rossendale, Burnley and Blackburn.

In comparison to Wendy’s experience, Rebecca Roberts, 23 from Burnley, is a new midwife and officially joined the team in November 2011.

She said: “I love my job as a midwife and having trained at the old Burnley Unit to now be working in the new birth centre, shows the great improvements we have made to provide an excellent service to expectant mothers and their families.

“I enjoy my job as a midwife greatly and although I’m still a newbie, I’ve already delivered 82 babies.”