ABU DHABI // British midwife Jasmine Sneyd is often greeted in the street by smiling strangers while out walking in the capital.
Those strangers are parents whose child the 59-year-old has helped deliver or couples that Ms Sneyd, as a senior midwife and parent educator at Corniche Hospital, has given advice to – before and after the birth of their children.
“I walk around Abu Dhabi and people remember me from 19 years or something ago. People would say they would never forget me, which makes me think I have made an impact on people’s lives,” she said.
Ms Sneyd has been a midwife at Corniche Hospital since 1982.
“Originally the plan was for one year,” she said. “I always felt I would like to work abroad.”
She recalls her British Airways flight landing in Abu Dhabi and it was raining.
“I must admit I did not know where I was coming to,” she said. “We arrived at the hospital, which at the time was a converted hotel. There were no call bells. The curtains were like pieces of rope with drapes over. The beds were very old and had metal bars at the top.”
Ms Sneyd was allocated a job in the birthing area.
“What struck me was it a little bit different then,” she said. “Women laboured on a bed then, when we knew the baby was about to be born, you moved to another room.”
At times there could be eight women in a labour room waiting to give birth, she said.
“The hospital was not very big and there seemed to be ladies everywhere.
“Now the issue is on privacy and being in your own room.”
Ms Sneyd remembers the move to the new hospital building.
“At the time it was an incredible change. It was a remarkable hospital. And it has changed so much over the years,” she said.
That original 12-month plan developed into a lifelong career at Corniche Hospital.
During later roles, Ms Sneyd worked in parent education, helping prepare for pregnancy, birth and taking care of their newborns.
The Corniche Hospital has been her life, she said. Not just professionally but personally. too.
Her four children have all been born at the hospital.
One of her twin daughters, who married an Emirati, also delivered her two children at the hospital.
At 59, Ms Sneyd said her days at the hospital are, unfortunately, drawing to a close.
What she would like to see is more recognition for midwives in the country.
They play a vital role in the delivery of babies, she said.
“Midwives have to be recognised as amazing people,” she said.
jbell@thenational.ae
