After 29 years working as a midwife in the UK, adventure compelled me to travel to New Zealand in 2005 to become a lead maternity carer, working for Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) within Section 88 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act.

Whilst working in the UK for the last 13 years, I provided ante-natal care, preparation for parenting classes, labour and post-natal care. Most of the births were conducted at home.

I am qualified in ITEC Massage, Aromatherapy, Nutrition & Diet, Reflexology and Birthlight Pre and Post-Natal Yoga (Certificate & Diploma) and have become a Birthlight Tutor (2007), teaching Birthlight Yoga Diploma for Maternity Professionals both in the UK and New Zealand. I am also qualifed in LK Massage in Labour Techniques (October 2007).

Using my Complementary Therapies qualifications, I was employed, on a 2-day basis within my working week, to promote Complementary Therapies within a National Health Service hospital.

I have promoted Complementary Therapies within maternity care at UK National level by presenting at two conferences. The first was the RCM Conference in Cardiff in May 2004. The second was "M.I.D.I.R.S Maternity Care - Naturally (an insight into the use of Complementary Therapies in Maternity care)" in October 2004.

My midwifery role in Auckland is providing ante-natal, post-natal and some intrapartum care, as well as offering teaching sessions to women who attend the Positive Birth After Caesarian clinic within ADHB.

I have set up my own business in New Zealand, known as Essential Midwife, and offer Birthlight Yoga Pregnancy Classes to pregnant women and developed, in conjunction with Birthlight, the "Birthing Lightly" Seminar For Midwives and Childbirth Educators.

Working under the Birthlight banner, I offer the Birthlight Diploma for Maternity Professionals (Royal College of Midwives Accredited). Other Birthlight courses are available in New Zealand which are organised by Yoganic.