Joy to the Ward, working over Christmas

Dressed as Christmas characters (an elf and an angel) my best mate and I delivered a woman’s baby. I’ll never forget her yelling at us “don’t you dare take your costumes off, you are delivering my baby like that.”

Yeah I have to work Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Years Eve but I’m not complaining.

For me, working Christmas is now a tradition like opening presents and fighting with my brothers. In fact I think working Christmas is something I now look forward to.

Is the glass half empty or half full? Yeah I have to work Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Years Eve but I’m not complaining.

For me, working Christmas is now a tradition like opening presents and fighting with my brothers. In fact I think working Christmas is something I now look forward to.

Thinking about it now I realise why I love working Christmas so much. It’s the competition. The festive season provides the best competitions for delivery ward midwives like myself.

Firstly, there is the well-known competition to deliver the first baby born on Christmas day or the first baby for the New Year.

Secondly (and my favourite), is the competition for the silliest Christmas costume. Two years ago I won best dressed with my reindeer costume and jingling bells on my hands and feet. In 2008 I bowed to my best mate, the elf.

Okay maybe it’s not just the dressing up like idiots I love, it’s the special moments you are a part of at Christmas time.

Last year I don’t remember what presents anyone got, nor do I remember who won the fight for the biggest piece of crackling, but I will never forget the Christmas cheer and fun at work.

Dressed as Christmas characters (an elf and an angel) my best mate and I delivered a woman’s baby. I’ll never forget her yelling at us “don’t you dare take your costumes off, you are delivering my baby like that.”

I really believe Christmas as what you make it. This year I will again have it all; a great meal, beloved family and friends and a new life being brought into the world, probably while being dressed as Mrs Clause (better suggestions welcome).

So this year while I’m driving to work I will spare a thought for the police, firies, ambos and other public sector workers who are keeping the state going.

I hope they too find their piece of magic this festive season.