Births do not keep office hours
Labour ward shifts run through the night, and community midwives can be called out to a home birth at any hour. Supporting women in different birthing positions means kneeling, crouching and bending for long stretches. Back and knee problems build up over a career.
Then there is the emotional side. Most births are joyful, but difficult outcomes stay with you, and short staffing on maternity units adds pressure. Burnout is a known reason midwives step away from work for months at a time.
NHS, agency and independent midwifery
NHS midwives have full pay then half pay when sick, with both periods set by length of service. Agency midwives typically get statutory sick pay only. Independent midwives are self-employed and their income ends when they cannot take on clients.
Your deferred period should follow your own arrangement. Match it to the end of half pay on an NHS contract. Keep it short if you work through an agency or for yourself. Insurers classify occupations by risk, which affects price and whether claims are judged against your own job.
- NHS hospital midwives: sick pay set by service
- Community midwives: driving and on-call work to declare
- Agency midwives: often statutory sick pay only
- Independent midwives: self-employed, no employer support
Life insurance while you raise your own family
Many midwives are juggling young children of their own. Death in service through the NHS Pension Scheme helps while you are a member, but it is tied to your job. A personal life policy can cover the mortgage and keep your children's future steady if you leave the NHS or go part time.
Family income benefit, which pays a monthly sum rather than one lump sum, is a practical way to replace your share of household income until the children grow up.
Pregnancy, maternity leave and your own policy
Many midwives think about cover around the time they start their own family. You can apply for life insurance while pregnant, and insurers will ask about any complications. Some may postpone critical illness or income protection until after the birth, depending on your history.
Check how an income protection policy treats a claim that starts during maternity leave, because your earnings at that point may be lower than usual. Policies differ on this. We can point out the wording to look for before you choose.
How Hi Tomorrow helps midwives
We look at your band, service, extra shifts and any independent work, then recommend a deferred period that fits. We compare insurers on our panel for how they treat clinical roles and help you answer questions about any back trouble or time off with stress.