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A Midwife's Memoir-bookcover

By: Carol Duncombe

A Midwife's Memoir

Pages: 232 Ratings: 5.0
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Following a long career as a midwife and then a community midwife, Carol retired in 2016, but she found she missed the excitement of bringing new life into the world, the joy and fulfillment of helping mothers to be, and the sheer pleasure of working in a small community.


She decided to record her experiences in this book as a tribute to all the wonderful mums and dads she gave help and advice to; some of the highs and lows, amusing and sometimes heart-breaking stories, and the unusual and unexpected events that occurred during that long career.

Carol Duncombe was born to Frank and Babs in Northampton. She has four siblings – two brothers and two sisters. She started her nursing career when she was 18. She has worked as a midwife for 45 years and delivered over 2000 babies. She retired last year and now spends her time helping out at a local school. She’s been married to Richard for 45 years.

Customer Reviews
5.0
4 reviews
4 reviews
  • Alison Dawes

    From the comical to the bizarre and sometimes the very sad and moving, Carol really has seen it all over her long and varied career as a midwife! Carol’s memoir is written with both humour and compassion, I couldn’t put it down.

  • Cheryl Holloway

    I read the book in one evening - couldn’t put it down - such lovely stories! Could hear carol saying it as I read it! Loved it! X

  • Julia Wilson

    A Midwife’s Memoir by Carol Duncombe is a fascinating account of the author’s life as a midwife of over forty five years.
    Medical advances mean that some things have changed but much remains the same – we all want to be looked after by a caring midwife and we want a healthy mum and baby outcome.
    Carol Duncombe has worked in a hospital and the community. She has many tales to tell – some are extremely funny, some are desperately sad. Each birth is unique.
    The book is written in a very engaging style. I really ‘felt’ like I ‘knew’ Carol Duncombe by the end of the book. I am looking forward to reading her sequel.
    Just as Call The Midwife has entertained us on the BBC about midwives in the community in the 1950’s and 1960’s, I think Carol Duncombe’s tales would make a marvellous television series showing midwifery from the eighties and beyond.
    A Midwife’s Memoir is a wonderful book that will warm your heart.
    I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

  • Christian Bookaholica

    A Midwife’s Memoir by Carol Duncombe is a fascinating account of the author’s life as a midwife of over forty-five years.

    Medical advances mean that some things have changed but much remains the same – we all want to be looked after by a caring midwife and we want a healthy mum and baby outcome.

    Carol Duncombe has worked in a hospital and the community. She has many tales to tell – some are extremely funny, some are desperately sad. Each birth is unique.

    The book is written in a very engaging style. I really ‘felt’ like I ‘knew’ Carol Duncombe by the end of the book. I am looking forward to reading her sequel.

    Just as Call The Midwife has entertained us on the BBC about midwives in the community in the 1950s and 1960’s, I think Carol Duncombe’s tales would make a marvellous television series showing midwifery from the eighties and beyond.

    A Midwife’s Memoir is a wonderful book that will warm your heart.

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