Midwife from Cookstown on the front cover of VOGUE

I just LOVE this story and had to share with you, how brilliant must Rachel feel and so she should. Imagine a midwife from Cookstown has featured on the cover of Vogue!! - a special edition for key workers who are at the height of the health pandemic. 

The July publication stars key workers from across the UK, and 24-year-old Rachel Millar is representing Northern Ireland.

Rachel says " never thought they would be bothered with the like of me"

Now a community midwife at Homerton Hospital in East London, Rachel says her fascination for pregnancy and birth started early when she witnessed her grandparents doing lambing season every year on their farm.

Speaking to Vogue she said: "Every week is different. I could be doing night shifts in the birth centre, antenatal clinics seeing women throughout their pregnancies, or postnatal home visits – checking in on couples who have recently left the labour ward with their newborns. I also do on-calls for the home birth team which last 24 hours (from 8am to 8am the following day). I just love being with the women in this really special time in their lives.

"One of the hardest moments for me during the pandemic was when I had my bike stolen. If you’ve ever watched Call the Midwife, you’ll know the importance of two wheels to an east London midwife, especially when we’re desperately trying to avoid public transport.

"Having to carry on working for the rest of the week, maintain good morale, and be that reassuring voice to worried parents was made slightly more difficult.

But, within a few hours, a friend who also works at Homerton Hospital had raised over £500 online to help get me back on the road. Another colleague tweeted the story and within an hour, a local company had donated a brand new electric bike.

"It’s just one example of the community support and kindness that I’ve seen over the past few months, and what initially drew me to work in Homerton Hospital and the surrounding area. To say that I’m proud of my work family, and my wider community’s response to this pandemic, is an understatement.

I have had several brides that are midwives and nurses over the years and I think of them all at this time. Last month three of my past brides had babies in the middle of this crisis and I'm happy to say All Mum's and babies are doing fine, thanks to our NHS staff.