CDU celebrates its incredible midwives

Darwin local Roslyn Consoli is one of many exceptional midwives being recognised today as part of the International Day of the Midwife celebrations for her commitment to the Territory community.

Ms Consoli, 46, has called Darwin home for the past 25 years after falling in love with the Territory on a road trip.

Ms Consoli’s midwifery journey started in 2018 when she assisted a friend with a home birthing experience and witnessed the midwives at work during the child birthing journey.  

Now in her final year of a Bachelor of Midwifery degree at Charles Darwin University (CDU), Ms Consoli is looking forward to a career in public health where she wants to continue empowering Territory women during childbirth.

Upon completing her degree, she hopes to be chosen to participate in a midwifery graduate program at the Royal Darwin Hospital.  

Prior to entering the midwifery profession, Ms Consoli worked in the environmental science space, before moving into public health but has since found that women’s health is her real passion.  

“I am incredibly passionate about empowering women to care for themselves and their families and working with women one on one to help them understand their health,” Ms Consoli said.

“That’s why I love all aspects of midwifery. Childbirth is one of the most vulnerable times in a woman’s life and as a midwife we are there for them throughout the pregnancy and post-natal journey. It is a huge responsibility, but it gives me a lot of satisfaction.”  

Throughout Ms Consoli’s bachelor’s degree, she has undertaken placements in a range of settings across Darwin’s public and private hospitals which she says has been an invaluable experience.

“At my first placement, I was looking after a woman who had just had a caesarean section and was in our care for four or five days. Each day I would go in and see her and provide support to make sure her and her partner were going ok,” she said.

CDU’s College of Nursing and Midwifery Dean Professor Karen Francis said that it was important to acknowledge the vital work midwives like Ms Consoli do.

“It is important to celebrate and reflect on the work midwives undertake and recognise the emotional and mental strength they provide during the childbirth journey,” Professor Francis said. 

“This International Day of the Midwife, all of us here at CDU will be celebrating in unison with midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives across the globe in recognition of their work.”

Explore Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery degrees at CDU, with our midwives being able to study across Australia and learn more about studying in Darwin.