A MATERNITY support worker is celebrating after being nominated for a prestigious Royal College of Midwives award.

Kerry Wheeler, who has worked at the Great Western Hospital delivery suite for more than a decade was shortlisted for the Pregnacare Award for Maternity Support Worker of the Year at the RCM Annual Midwifery Awards.

The 38-year-old’s cheery smile and sunny disposition have seen her comfort and calm countless parents-to-be as they welcome their children into the world.

This week she attended a glittering awards ceremony in London to ring in her achievements with her ‘work family’.

Although pipped at the post to the award, Kerry said she feels like a winner.

She said: “Just being nominated was a win in itself and such a privilege to be there. I felt very lucky and honoured to be asked and my family were really proud of me.

“It was amazing to be there with my work family celebrating the work that we do.”

Maternity support workers provide holistic care to women and their families and help support midwives to better use their time caring for new mums.

Kerry supports mums-to-be who are coming in for a caesarean delivery. Her duties range from putting a catheter in, to helping mums to breastfeed to making ‘the best cup of tea’ in the world after the mum has delivered the baby.

In a career spanning 12 years in the delivery suite Kerry has assisted in the births of more than a thousand babies and made countless precious memories

She was even in the delivery room when her best friend of 35 years Sarah gave birth to her first baby Ava.

Kerry, who started her NHS career as a bank nurse was inspired to step into the world of delivery after her own positive experience of birth with her son 12 years ago.

“It was a difficult delivery and at the time very scary but the people who looked after me were so calm and so professional, such lovely people that I knew I wanted to step into that world.

“The role has come such a long way and is now recognised as a career in itself.”

“I have a sunny disposition and it’s about making people feel comfortable as possible. I love my job, I feel at home and I think it’s the best job in the world. It is so rewarding to help bring new life into the world every day.”

Kerry was nominated for the award by Tanya Miles, a midwife on the delivery suite.

Tanya said: “Kerry is passionate about providing personal care to each and every mum and baby.

“Everyone’s experience of birth is different and each baby is unique, and Kerry works hard to ensure each family is made to feel special.