Special delivery in safe hands with midwife of the year

Oct 5 2007 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

MUMS-to-be expecting twins, triplets or even quads can always rely on dedicated Sandra Bosman as their extra pair of hands to help them through their pregnancies.

Now her hard work and friendly nature have earned her the crown of Midwife of the Year.

Mrs Bosman, based at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, was nominated for the national award, sponsored by nursery retailer Mamas and Papas, by former patients Emma Miller and Melanie Snee, who became parents to quads Markus, Lara, Lucas and Harrison 10 months ago today.

The couple, from Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, wanted to thank Mrs Bosman for being there for them during their unique pregnancy, and for her sound advice in their first stages of parenthood.

Melanie, 34, who has been with partner Emma, 30, for more than a decade, said: “She was just phenomenal all the way through.”

The foursome are believed to be only the second set of quads born at Newcastle’s RVI.

“We said that they broke the mould when they made Sandra,” added Ms Snee, a customer service adviser.

“Not only did she give us her dedication during the pregnancy but in the weeks that followed.”

Mrs Bosman, who has been a midwife for 29 years, said she felt humbled by the award which was presented by England Rugby star Ben Cohen, whose wife gave birth to twins last month.

She said: “I was very surprised when I found out because as a midwife you do it because you love the job.

“There are hundreds of thousands of midwifes who do a wonderful job every day.”

The mother-of-two, from Greenside, Gateshead, has specialised in multiple births for seven years and is based at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

She has been named North-East Midwife of the Year for the past two years, but this is her first national award.

The prize money of £1,000 will go to the RVI’s multiple birth facilities.