Maya and Gemma are making their mark in midwifery
Maya and Gemma are two new midwives from Westmead Hospital, having recently graduated from the NSW MidStart program which is open to registered nurses.
MidStart is a statewide program open to registered nurses who want to become registered midwives. With applications for the 2027 program now open, we spoke to Maya and Gemma, recent graduates of Western Sydney Health District MidStart.
Maya Bricknell was part of Westmead’s MidStart program in 2025.
Watching midwives on television programs ‘One Born Every Minute’ and ‘Deliver Me’ with her grandmother as a child, Maya knew she wanted to become midwife. Her passion was cemented during a student placement.
“It was locked in place for me during a midwifery placement during my study. I went to the birth unit and maternity ward and fell in love with it.”
“Empowering women to bring life into this world, something that is so magical, it just so enjoyable. It’s very rewarding.”
Within midwifery, Maya’s passions lie between the birth unit and breastfeeding, with a recent experience reinforcing that desire.
“Recently, I spent a day supporting a mother who was having trouble to breastfeed. By the end of the day, she was so thankful and crying. It made me love my job even more,” she said.
A Western Sydney resident, Westmead Hospital was always her first preference.
“Westmead is a big hospital and it’s a great place to learn. My colleagues have been such a great support throughout the MidStart year, making it that little bit easier.”
Delivering that support, are educators like Samantha Cox, a Clinical Midwife Educator.
A nurse for 20 years, Samantha has worked in midwifery at Westmead Hospital for the last 12 years.
She says it’s amazing to see graduates progress through the MidStart program and become registered midwives.
“Seeing them grow during the year and into their midwifery careers is very special.”
Samantha says that her role and that of her fellow educators and support staff is to be there when needed.
“Mentoring is a big part of what we offer the new midwives.
“A lot of patience, kindness and support has gone into each of them and helps them to blossom into the midwives they are now,” she said.
In addition to formal training and education, a lot is also learnt ‘on the job.’
“On the ward, we offer in-services, we have debriefs with them regularly and they get to spend time with the educators and we do progress reports so they’re on track to achieve their goals.”
Like Maya, Gemma Randall is a registered nurse and midwife who works at Westmead Hospital.
It was a rotation as a student nurse that piqued her interest in midwifery. After 12 months as a registered nurse,
Gemma applied for the MidStart program in 2025. After a successful application, she enrolled in the university course and received placement at Westmead Hospital.
“When I started seeing mothers and babies and was part of that experience, I knew that was what I wanted to do.”
Juggling part-time work with study, finalising assessments, and learning a new career was challenging, but the outcome of becoming a new midwife was worth it.
“The program was amazing. Part of the program requires us to follow ten women through their journeys,” Gemma said.
Twelve months on, Gemma graduated from the MidStart program and is now qualified as a registered midwife.
“It is about guiding and supporting women in these life-changing and vulnerable experiences that I’m so grateful to be a part of.”
“Seeing women becoming mothers and the experience of their whole family makes you want to come to work everyday.”
She recognises her colleagues at Westmead Hospital for supporting her on this journey.
“Westmead Hospital has been amazing, the people here are fantastic.”
Her midwifery career is only just beginning, but Gemma already has plenty of positive memories and endless possibilities to look forward to.
“I can’t choose just one. Of course all of the births, the post-partum experiences that we’re there for and the education we’re able to provide to the women.
“There are so many things you can do as a midwife in the hospital system – antenatal, postnatal, education, birth unit and the clinics.”
Gemma’s advice to registered nurses considering MidStart –
“Do it. Apply. It can be a challenging program but becoming a midwife at the end of it is so worth it.”
Applications are now open.