I’m sitting here, still processing the fact that I’ve been named Independent Midwife of the Year 2026, and honestly? I’m overwhelmed, emotionally shocked and totally honoured.

Not because of the trophy (though, let’s be real, it’s gorgeous and will be taking pride of place in my office). But because of what this award actually represents.

It represents every single family who trusted me with their birth story.

Every woman who chose relationship-based care over the conveyor belt. Every partner who showed up ready to support. Every baby who arrived earthside in their own perfect time, in their own perfect way.

This award isn’t just mine-it belongs to all of you, the women I’ve walked alongside and the ones I am yet to support.

What Does “Independent Midwife of the Year” Actually Mean?

Let me be honest with you: when I started out midwife in Yorkshire over a decade ago, I had no idea how this would unfold. Now as a private midwife in Yorkshire, I support women in a unique and incredible way.

I just knew that the system wasn’t serving women the way it should. That birth had become something to “manage” rather than something to honour. That pregnant women deserved more than 10-minute appointments, strangers at their births, and being told to “just trust the process” while simultaneously being denied autonomy.

So I did things differently.

I built Your Private Midwife around one simple principle: You are the main character in your birth story.

Not the hospital policies. Not the rota system. Not the risk assessment charts.

You.

And apparently, that resonated.

The Families Who Made This Possible

This award exists because of the families I’ve had the absolute privilege of supporting across Yorkshire and beyond.

The first-time mum in Leeds who was told she was “too old” for a home birth at 38, who went on to have the most beautiful, empowering water birth in her living room.

The couple in Harrogate who’d experienced a traumatic hospital birth with their first baby and were terrified it would happen again-until it didn’t. Until they had the healing, gentle birth they’d been dreaming of.

The woman in Sheffield who everyone said was “too high risk” for a VBAC, who laboured with confidence, power, and complete trust in her body-and birthed her baby vaginally, on her terms, whilst I watched her embrace a new part of herself.

The family in Manchester who wanted their three older children present for the birth, who created the most special, intimate family moment I’ve ever witnessed.

These are the stories that matter. These are the births that change narratives. These are the families who prove, time and time again, that birth on your own terms is not just possible-it’s powerful.

What Makes Private Midwifery Different?

I get asked this all the time: “What’s actually different about private midwifery care?”

And honestly? Everything.

1. You Get a Relationship, Not a Rota

When you book NHS care, you see whoever’s on shift. Could be 10 different midwives across your pregnancy. Could be a complete stranger at your birth.

With private midwifery? You get me. Every appointment. Every call. Every moment of your labour.

We build trust. We build rapport. And by the time you’re in labour, I’m not a stranger holding your hand-I’m someone you know, someone you trust, someone who gets you.

That matters. Research shows it improves outcomes. But more importantly? It feels different.

2. Appointments Are Actually Long Enough

NHS appointments: 10 minutes. Maybe 15 if you’re lucky.

Your Private Midwife appointments? As long as they need to be. An hour. Two hours if we’re deep in conversation.

We talk about your fears. Your hopes. Your birth preferences. Your concerns about breastfeeding, or your relationship, or how you’re going to juggle work and motherhood, all whilst drinking a brew and getting down to the real questions even the hobnobs are curious about!

We don’t rush. Because your pregnancy isn’t something to tick off a checklist-it’s a transformational journey, and you deserve support that honours that, not a stopwatch and a cut off point.

3. Your Choices Are Protected

Here’s the thing about NHS maternity care: policies often override preferences.

Want a water birth? “Sorry, the pool’s being used.” (truth: it’s probably not!)
Want to labour at home longer? “You need to come in now.”
Want to decline routine monitoring? “It’s hospital policy.”

With private midwifery? Your choices are sacred.

I big sister vibe for you. I protect your plans. I help you navigate the system so that you stay in control. All whilst cheering you on, gifting you a bit of my brave along the way.

Because here’s what I believe: informed consent isn’t optional. It’s essential.

And you shouldn’t have to fight for it, midwifery care should be you, front and centre!!

4. You Get Main Character Energy

This is my brand, and I mean it wholeheartedly.

You are not a supporting character in your own birth story.

You’re not background scenery while the “experts” make decisions for you. You’re not there to comply with protocols that don’t make sense for your unique situation.

You are the star. The lead. The main event.

And I’m here to make sure your birth reflects that.

Why I Do What I Do

I’ve been a midwife for over 10 years now, and I’ve seen it all.

I’ve seen the most beautiful, transformative births. I’ve also seen births that were traumatic simply because women weren’t listened to, weren’t respected, weren’t given the space to make their own choices.

And I made a decision a long time ago: I won’t be part of a system that treats women like problems to be solved instead of people to be supported.

So I left the NHS. I started Your Private Midwife. And I committed to doing things differently.

Does that mean I’m anti-NHS? Absolutely not. The NHS does incredible work, and I have enormous respect for the midwives working within it.

But the system is broken. Understaffed, underfunded, over-stretched.

And women deserve better.

So I provide better.

What This Award Really Means to Me

Winning Independent Midwife of the Year 2026 is humbling.

It’s validation that this work matters. That relationship-based, continuity of care isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential.

It’s proof that when you put women at the centre of their own stories, when you protect their choices and honour their autonomy, everyone wins.

Outcomes improve. Satisfaction increases. Birth becomes what it should always be: a rite of passage, not a medical emergency.

But more than anything? This award is a reminder of why I started this in the first place.

Not for recognition. Not for accolades.

But because every woman deserves to walk into motherhood feeling powerful, proud, and healed—not traumatised.

To Every Family I’ve Supported: Thank You

This award is yours.

Thank you for trusting me with your births. Thank you for choosing private midwifery when everyone told you the NHS was “good enough.” Thank you for believing that you deserved more.

You were right. You did.

And I’m so honoured I got to be part of your story.

If You’re Considering Private Midwifery Care in Yorkshire

Maybe you’ve been reading this and thinking, “This sounds like exactly what I want.”

Maybe you’re tired of feeling like just another number in an overburdened system.

Maybe you’ve had a traumatic birth before and you’re not willing to go through that again.

Maybe this is your first baby, and you want to start motherhood on your terms—not the hospital’s.

If any of that resonates, I’d love to chat.

I offer free 30-minute discovery calls where we can talk about your pregnancy, your hopes for birth, and whether private midwifery is the right fit for you.

No pressure. No hard sell. Just a genuine conversation about what you want and how I can support you.

Because here’s the truth: you deserve more than rushed appointments and strangers at your birth.

You deserve continuity. You deserve trust. You deserve a midwife who knows your name, your story, and your vision for birth.

You deserve to be the main character.

Book Your Free Discovery Call

Ready to explore private midwifery care with Yorkshire’s Independent Midwife of the Year 2026?

👉 Book your free 30-minute call here

Let’s talk about your pregnancy, your birth, and how we can make it everything you’re hoping for.

Supporting Families Across Yorkshire & Beyond

I provide private midwifery care and home birth support across:

Leeds – Private Midwife Leeds
York – Private Midwife York
Harrogate – Private Midwife Harrogate
Sheffield – Private Midwife Sheffield
Manchester – Private Midwife Manchester
Wakefield – Private Midwife Wakefield
Cheshire – Private Midwife Cheshire

Email: bailey@yourprivatemidwife.co.uk
Text: 07895637512
Google Reviews: See what families say

Don’t live in God’s own country, but want a bit of the YPM Bailey magic,

Pull up a chair at The Boardroom & get inside my zone of genius with this unique way of learning and a twist on understanding why it works this way will help you Birth Like a Boss.

Final Thoughts: Birth Doesn’t Have to Be Traumatic

I’ll leave you with this:

Birth is one of the most transformative experiences of your life.

It should be something you look back on with pride, with power, with joy.

Not with trauma. Not with regret. Not with the feeling that you were disrespected or dismissed.

And if that’s what you want? If you want a birth that feels aligned, supported, and yours?

I’m here.

Let’s make it happen.

Bailey Warner
Independent Midwife of the Year 2026
Your Private Midwife | Yorkshire & Beyond

Award-Winning Private Midwifery Care
Relationship-Based Continuity of Care
Birth on Your Own Terms

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Independent Midwife of the Year 2026: & Why This Award Means Everything