More than 13,000 babies took their first breath in Greater Glasgow and Clyde over the past year — and the midwives who guided them into the world are being thanked in the warmest possible terms.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) delivered 13,150 babies in the last 12 months, the highest figure of any health board in Scotland, according to Public Health Scotland statistics published in November 2025. Behind that number sits a sprawling team working across three maternity hospitals, two community units, a dedicated home birth team and a network of outpatient services.

To mark International Day of the Midwife on 5 May, NHSGGC has shared a stack of testimonials gathered through Care Opinion, the independent platform where patients and families post feedback about their NHS care. The verdict from parents is, more or less, unanimous: these midwives are something special.

"She made me feel at ease"

At Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, one first-time mum credited a midwife called Lauren with carrying her through pregnancy and the early postpartum days. "Lauren made me feel at ease during every clinic appointment and was very approachable and easy to talk to," she wrote. "This was my first pregnancy and Lauren was extremely empathetic and supportive throughout my time being cared for by her."

At the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, another new mother described a water birth in the alongside midwifery unit, supported by midwives Donna and Pam. "I was supported by brilliant midwives… who supported my birth plan to have a water birth, using the techniques I had learned through hypnobirthing and antenatal classes," she said. "I will forever be grateful for my experience there. They made my birth experience as a first-time mum such a special occasion."

Compassion across the patch

The praise stretches well beyond Glasgow's big hospitals. At Inverclyde Royal Hospital, one parent thanked midwife Lesley-Anne for helping her navigate pregnancy after loss. "She has been a credit to the NHS," she said. "She has helped me… supported me through all my worries and issues and supported me post-birth with the best care and compassion."

Families looked after by the Vale of Leven community midwife team singled out midwives Yvonne and Sarah for making them feel "very comfortable and at ease to discuss any concerns or questions."

And for those who chose to give birth at home with the Greater Glasgow Home Birth Team, the experience clearly went beyond clinical care. "My birth was attended by two Carolines as well as a community midwife," one family wrote. "I felt so safe and empowered in their care. They supported me to deliver my baby in the most incredibly calm and beautiful way."

The same family added a detail that has, quite rightly, been doing the rounds: after the birth, the midwives "went above and beyond cleaning and tidying our house and providing us with tea and toast while we sat on the sofa with our baby."

"Joyful, emotional and sometimes challenging"

Mary Ross-Davie, director of midwifery for NHSGGC, said the testimonials reflected the reality of the job. "Our midwives provide outstanding care every single day, often supporting families through some of the most joyful, emotional, and sometimes challenging moments of their lives," she said.

"The stories shared through Care Opinion are incredibly powerful and a real reflection of the compassion, professionalism and dedication our midwives show across maternity services, whether they are working in hospital, in the community or supporting home births."

Her message to the teams behind those 13,150 first cries was simple: thank you.