Malina Vitkova, senior midwife in the maternity ward of ‘Mama and I’: Every newborn is a blessing for me

Malina Vitkova is a senior midwife at the maternity ward of ‘Mama and I’. She has been a senior nurse at the maternity ward for 26 years. For her, every new birth is a blessing, every baby’s first cry is a satisfaction and the tears in the mother’s eyes are a reward. Today – 21 January – Midwifery Day we talk to her about her choice and dedication to the profession – midwife.

– When and why did you choose to be a midwife?

– From a very young age I always wanted to study medicine. The decision to dedicate myself to midwifery came spontaneously after the birth of my first daughter. At the most important and difficult time for me, I saw in my midwife support, protection and peace of mind. She was my inspiration and I realized that this was my calling.

– How does it feel to be part of the birth of a new life every day?

– Being a part of the birth of a new life is a privilege for me and the feeling is unique. Every baby born in my arms is a blessing. The moment I hear the cry of a new life, the exhaustion and stress disappear. I forget about problems, difficulties, worries. And the tears of joy in the mother’s eyes are the greatest reward. Each birth is different in its own way, so the work of the midwife is not patterned. It takes knowledge, skill, patience and love, every time! A midwife’s job is not just about giving birth. Caring for the mother is also very important, both during and after pregnancy. Today, pregnant and birthing women use many more and different sources of information than women did decades ago. They ask a lot of questions and expect us to have the right answers. Today the midwife must be a psychologist and a friend as well as a professional. She does not have “office hours”. She has to be constantly by the woman’s side, to gain her trust and respond to her needs. Also the routine of the profession must not dominate the purely human warmth and respect, for the people who have chosen our hospital for this so important and expected event.

– How do the teams at ‘Mama and I’ deal with the challenges and needs of today’s expectant parents?

– Expectant parents choose the maternity ward of ‘Mama and I’ with great expectations and hope. They are enchanted by the excellent facilities, the dedicated team of doctors and midwives and the opportunities we provide for young families – for example, both parents being together with their newborn from day one. Expectant mothers spend the hours leading up to meeting their newborn in a comfortable environment, as close to home as possible, with the support of their relative and discreet supervision from the team.

The maternity sector has rooms for natural or operative birth. There is also a choice of a private delivery room for normal birth, where the presence of an attendant during labour is also permitted.

In the postpartum sector of ‘Mama and I’ the stay after birth is organized – everything necessary for the mother and the newborn is provided. The teams of doctors and midwives work as one, the knowledge and skills provide security and adequate response, and can sometimes be life-saving.

To meet the needs of pregnant women, we have also formed a school for expectant parents, which is gaining in popularity. In it, we discuss with expectant parents various topics related to childbirth and child rearing in a relaxed and friendly environment. Along with the school, we also hold individual meetings with them on a daily basis so that they are relaxed and as prepared as possible in caring for their child after discharge from the ward. And we are with them at discharge – all babies leave here with a gift – an album capturing their first moments – first photo, first foot and hand print, first impressions.

– You have been elected by the Board of the Alliance of Bulgarian Obstetricians as the President of the structure in Pleven region. The city will host the Academy of Midwives in the autumn of 2025. What goals have you set yourself?

– What we have to develop in midwifery care is the so-called “home patronage” – the care of the mother and child in a home setting. This is a difficult time for the woman, when she feels confused and insecure and needs our care and advice.

– What is 21 January for you and what is your wish for the holiday?

– For me, and for all my colleagues, it is a very special day and I feel extremely proud. The midwifery profession is a destiny and a calling! I wish all my colleagues good health! May they work with love, heart and soul!